The Nigerian dairy sector is set to receive a significant boost following a $5 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aimed at enhancing productivity and sustainability within the industry. This financial support will be utilized by the Value4Dairy Consortium, led by FrieslandCampina, to improve local dairy production and strengthen the sector’s capacity.
Ore Famurewa, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, revealed the news in a statement issued in Lagos. According to Famurewa, the $5 million grant will cover 50% of the cost of a new initiative by the consortium, which is designed to promote systematic, sustainable, and locally-driven dairy production across Nigeria.
The Value4Dairy Consortium, which was established in April 2021, is made up of four key partners with expertise in various agricultural sectors. These include FrieslandCampina WAMCO, URUS (a global leader in artificial insemination and herd management), Barenbrug (a prominent grass and forage seed company), and Agrifirm (a leading animal nutrition and crop farming firm).
Together, the partners have developed an innovative model aimed at creating a self-sufficient, climate-smart, and competitive dairy sector in Nigeria. The project will begin by establishing three dairy zones in Oyo, Osun, and Abuja, which will serve as training hubs and centers of support for 10,000 smallholder farmers and pastoralists. Over time, the initiative plans to expand its reach, supporting up to 40,000 milk producers across the country.
Each of these dairy zones will be equipped with essential infrastructure, including warehouses, retail outlets for dairy farming inputs, and milk collection points. FrieslandCampina WAMCO will collect the milk produced in these areas for processing into nutritious dairy products, which will be distributed to over five million Nigerians.
The consortium’s comprehensive approach will provide local farmers with access to the latest developments in breeding, feed, and sustainable farming practices, all designed to increase milk production at reduced costs. Additionally, the initiative is expected to promote food security, raise farmer incomes, enhance nutritional outcomes, and address critical environmental issues, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving water access.
The programme also aims to reduce conflicts between herders and farmers by fostering better relationships and supporting the sustainable development of the dairy industry. Moreover, the initiative includes specific measures to empower women, ensuring their active participation in the dairy value chain and enabling them to generate additional income.
Roger Adou, Managing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding the dairy value chain in Southwest Nigeria. He expressed optimism that the new project would further empower local farmers, boost milk production, and contribute to Nigeria’s agricultural development.
