The programme, which has “Recent Advances in Dairy Value Chain in Developing Countries’’ as its theme, was organised by the Netherlands Institutions Alumni Association of Nigeria, Aeres Practical Training Centre (PTC+) chapter.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Michelle Deelen, the Netherlands Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, underscored the need for Nigeria to develop its agricultural sector and the dairy industry.
He said that this would create more jobs, wealth and foreign exchange while improving the national economy significantly.
He also stressed the need to nurture and feed livestock animals in the country with nutritious feeds so as to enable them to produce enough milk for local consumption and export.
“The dairy industry will also improve the lives of villagers in all ramifications; dairy farming is a good business that will benefit anyone that engages in it,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr John Adekunle, the representative of Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc., said that milk production in the country would improve if tangible efforts were made to promote the interests of farmers.
He also underscored the need to put in place an environment that was conducive to sustainable milk production.
“In villages, it is the women who care for animals but their contributions are never recognised and highlighted; we need to reach those women so that they can spread the message of animal breeding, feeding and veterinary care.
“Making payments directly to women through their bank accounts will ensure their economic freedom and this will consequently result in increased, equitable social and economic growth,” he said.
Adekunle called for the modernisation and upgrade of the dairy processing infrastructure in the country, adding that efforts should also be made to give soft loans to dairy farmers.
Mrs Atinuke Akinyemi, the President of the alumni association, said that dairy farming involved a process of breeding livestock via artificial insemination for the purpose of improving milk production.
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She said that the alumni association comprised all the Aeres PTC+ alumni who attended practical training courses, especially in dairy production in the Netherlands.
Akinyemi said that the aim of the association was to bring dairy farming into limelight in Nigeria while reducing milk importation and improving the country’s economic status.
Also, Dr Johnson Olupona, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, said that the association was ready to collaborate with all stakeholders in the livestock sector in efforts to reduce milk importation through improved dairy farming.
“The first summit was held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, and it was successful. This is the second summit and there would be presentations during technical sessions; farmers will have an opportunity to discuss their problems and the way forward.
“Let’s all work together to make our dream and vision a reality,” he said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the summit was the awards given to dairy farmers and other stakeholders who played vital roles in the development of the dairy industry in Nigeria.
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