Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State through its College of Agriculture Engineering and Science has partnered with Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria PLC on milk production, to improve welfare of farmers as part of its community service activities in the state.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, at a one-day awareness campaign and knowledge acquisition workshop on dairy value chain, organized by the two parties noted that no university can survive without collaboration with the industry.
The Dairy Development has been a major investment at the center of Nigeria’s backward integration in local milk sourcing, hence the need to support farmers to expand their investment opportunities in the local manufacturing of yoghurt, cheese and evaporated milk consumed by millions of Nigerians.
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Friesland Campina is an affiliate of Royal Friesland Campina in the Netherlands that has been providing dairy products through its brands for over 60 years in Nigeria.
Ogunwole explained that in preparation for improved breed of cattle that yields more than available local breeds, the university has developed pasturage on the campus and that the institution will make the animals accessible to the local farmers in the state.
According to him, what Bowen is trying to do is to enter a marriage with industries that can influence the community and enhance the livelihood of the people, adding that one of the things that make universities in the United States strong and great is their collaboration with the industry.
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“Already, we have the semen from Girolando breed of cattle from Brazil for artificial cross-breeding with our local animals. Then, the university will, in turn, make the cow available for the local farmers, and train them on grazing and management of the cow.”
While giving her remarks, the Global Director, Diary Development, Friesland Campina, Mrs Yvonne van der Vorst, disclosed that the initiative would add to forex by reducing importation of dairy products and improve welfare of the farmers.
