Boosting Milk Production

Jonathan Ezeexamines the recent interventions of FrieslandCampina WAMCO to boost milk production in Oyo State

Dairy farming is a class of agriculture for long-term production of milk, which is processed (either on the farm or at a dairy plant, either of which may be called a dairy) for eventual sale of a dairy product.
Among the problems identified in milk production in Nigeria are low milk output of Fulani cows, poor grass quality that leads to low milk yield, and lack of storage and processing equipment.

Others are unsanitary methods of milk handling, breakdown of processing plants, inefficient milk collection also impede the performance of the milk industries in Nigeria and lack of economic incentives from the government hamper the expansion of the country’s dairy industry.

The local cow genotype that contributes about sixty-five per cent of the milk in Nigeria is multipurpose. Yielding only about 0.7 liters of milk per day, the local breed is not, therefore, a good milker. Genetic improvement of the local variety relies on natural cross-breeding. Less than three per cent of the stock has been artificially inseminated. High calf mortality (20-25 per cent) and long calving interval (20-26 months), slow maturation, and low productivity of the local breed of Nigeria’s cattle add to these problems.

With the exception of farm residue, the natural grass upon which the bovine depend is low in protein and indigestible roughage. Animals feeding on this grass have poor nutrition and low milk harvest. The calves compete with human beings for the limited output of milk.
A pastoralist must therefore under this circumstances ration his milk in such a way that the well-being of the calf is not jeopardised by a disproportionate consumption of milk by human beings.
However, these challenges no longer threaten dairy farmers and communities who are beneficiaries of the dairy development programme of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria.

At the recent occasion of the Dairy Farmers’ Day, the Managing Director, Mr. Ben Langat, said that WAMCO Dairy Farmers’ Day aims at highlighting the importance of dairy farming not just for producing milk and other dairy products but, providing sustainable livelihoods for rural farmers.

“Today’s event celebrates all our farmers across the communities here in Oyo State where the Dairy Development Programme is currently being implemented; and will also facilitate knowledge exchange and experiential learning between our local dairy farmers and dairy experts from across Nigeria and beyond here present.

“Today, while we share experiences regarding best practices in dairy farming within the Nigerian context, identifying challenges facing the dairy sector and proffering their solutions; we will also focus on the prospects and potential of dairy farming in Nigeria in around a decade from now.

“Currently, the Nigerian dairy sector is still largely characterised by cattle ownership belonging to Fulani pastoralists who are nomadic and go for days on long distances to graze their cattle and look for pasture and water for them. This affects the quality and quantity of their milk with the output of milk per cow per day currently at about 1 litre compared to other African countries like Kenya and Uganda with between 30 to 40 litres of milk per cow per day. Also, milk production is really not the mainstay of most pastoralists, as the cattle they rear are for beef production while the milk they produce is sold through informal channels in various local forms.”

Meanwhile, statistics published by Dairy Chain in 2014 puts the annual demand of milk in Nigeria at 1.1b litres with estimated annual production greater than 400m litres while annual demand/supply gap stands at 700m litres.
According to Langat, “There is clearly an opportunity here, for us as a leading dairy nutrition company and for Nigerian dairy farmers to benefit as they bridge this sizeable gap.”

He enumerated some of the challenges.“The dairy sector faces a number of challenges; some of which have continued to plague the sector over the years. In particular, the nomadic nature of the pastoralists who are mainly the cattle owners coupled with lack of good quality grazing reserves and pastures result in poor nutrition for lactating cows and poor productivity of indigenous cattle breeds. The unorthodox fresh milk collection, processing and marketing channels, lack of infrastructure (access roads, potable water, electricity, and modern dairy farming technologies) and absence of enabling policies regarding dairy farming have also contributed to the current undesirable situation in the dairy sector.

“That said, there have however been tireless efforts by private firms and individuals (in some cases in collaboration with state and federal government) to forge ahead and ensure improvement in the dairy sector in spite of the prevailing challenges. Some of these interventions are focused on: strengthening of milk marketing, collection and payment by private firms; improved extension and productivity services, animal health and cross breeding schemes, aggregation of farmers for easier access to credit facilities and markets as well as facilitation of inputs and infrastructure in dairy zones (to mention a few).”

Langat further delved into the history or the formative stage of the programme. “As a company, we are at the fore front of these economic solutions and will continue to play a key role in the ongoing efforts to improve and maximise the potential of dairy farming.
“Since its inception in 2011 till date, activities of our dairy development programme have spanned across Five LGAs of Iseyin, Ibarapa, Saki West, Atiba and Itesiwaju in Oyo-State in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Oyo-State government.

Specifically, the focus of implementation has been on Identification of dairy value chain actors in Oyo State; Sensitisation, registration and organioation of potential dairy farmers; Training of farmers and extension workers; Milk collection, testing and quality control; Crossbreeding; Tsetse eradication programmes; Improved and hybrid pasture cultivation demonstrations for farmers.
“A large network of dairy farmers including men and women are currently engaged in the programme; 300 of whom are present here today from the clusters operating in Fasola, Maya, Alaga and Iseyin communities with Milk Collection centres (all built and equipped by FrieslandCampina WAMCO.

“With the ongoing efforts and interventions within the dairy sector, there are notable improvements and gains being made towards the optimal functioning of the sector. Riding on the back of this therefore, we would like to look to the future and envision what dairy farming should look like in about a decade (2030 to be precise).
“We would expect a total turn around and 100% improvements of the policy and enabling environment, research and development, economic empowerment, infrastructure, food security, among others.

“Particularly there should be: Access to finance and credit facilities, access to land for grazing, pasture, feed et al; Improved reviewed policies, clear regulations on land ownership in different parts of the country
“Improved research in Animal health and nutrition as well as technologies for enhancing dairy farming
“More smallholder farmers with well-established ranches; improved and availability of modern farming methods and equipment
“Availability of variety of dairy products, improved yield of milk in litres per cow per day, 100% local sourcing of milk for dairy firms,
“Markets for the milk products from farmers organised dairy clusters and cooperatives, well established dairy communities with well- developed facilities- schools, hospitals, etc.”

Impressed by the initiative of WAMCO, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief AuduOgbeh, applauded their efforts in creating and successfully hosting Nigeria’s first Dairy Farmers’ Day programme, inIseyin, Oyo State.
Ogbeh said, “This first edition of the Dairy Farmers’ Day highlights the importance of dairy farming in the provision of food and employment for rural farmers. It celebrates and encourages dairy farmers from the five Local Government Areas where the Dairy Development Programme (DDP) is currently being implemented in Oyo State.

“Let me reiterate the Federal Government’s commitment to the success of FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s DDP which has taken a firm root in Oyo State and is spreading to other parts of the country.”
Meanwhile, five dairy farmers emerged winners from the five LGAs where the DDP has produced excellent improvements in local milk sourcing, dairy farming standards, improved business model and farmers’ livelihood. Each winner of the award for good dairy farming practises got a brand new motorbike, which was presented by the Chairman Board of Directors, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mr. MoyoAjekigbe. The winners are AdamuAliuPoku of Fashola LGA, KadadeAmodu (Alaga LGA), Mohammed Osomo (Iseyin LGA), AmudaYusuffAliu (Maya LGA) and AbdukareemJubril (Saki LGA).

Still at the event, the company also invited two Dutch famers – GerbenSmeenk and Herman Bakhius – under its Farmer2Farmer Programme from The Netherlands. Both men shared experiences and their knowledge of best global dairy farming practices with their Nigerian counterparts and in turn learnt, identified and discussed challenges facing Nigeria’s dairy sector. They also proffered solutions.
The event featured presentation on the theme: “Dairy Farming: A Business Lead for Economic Growth” as well as panel discussions. Over 300 farmers attended the celebration, cheerful and dressed in the same cultural attire worn by the management of FrieslandCampina WAMCO.

Prominent guests at the event were the Ambassador of The Netherlands to Nigeria, Mr. Robert Petri; Governor of Kebbi State, AbubakarAtikuBagudu; representatives of the Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), 2Scale-IFDC and Sahel Capital Partners.
The Dairy Farmers’ Day rounded off with an exhibition by key players in the dairy sector namely, Animal Care, Top Feeds, Real People Concept, Terratiga, Festola Farms and CEVA SanteAnimale, among others. The exhibition included simulations of good dairy practices, artificial insemination, animal health and nutrition, vaccines, forage production, veterinary equipment, animal reproduction technology and management.

Some of the farmers spoke with THISDAY and expressed their joy on the initiative adding that it has improved their bank balances and created sustainable hope for them.