ibironkeeniola 
Dutch dairy company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria has formally launched the Centre for Nigerian Dutch Dairy Development (CNDDD).
The CNDDD was unveiled yesterday at a virtual launch attended by some governors and a representative of Vice President Yemi Osibajo, among others.
The launch was tagged: Accelerating a Sustainable Dairy Sector in Nigeria.
Speaking during the launch, Managing Director of FrieslandCampina, Ben Langat, noted that the new centre would help to revolutionise the dairy sector in Nigeria.
He added that the centre would take into account relevant opportunities to foster cooperation among all stakeholders in the dairy industry.
Langat further explained that the centre was re-modelled after the Sino-Dutch Dairy Development Centre (SDDDC) in China.
He also pointed out that Nigeria is the second country in the world where the initiative is being implemented by the FrieslandCampina.
The managing director also said that partnership will help to transit Nigeria’s dairy industry from its current subsistence phase to a commercialised phase, adding that the country’s dairy industry is currently bedevilled by challenges which will be surmounted through the partnership.
“The Centre for Nigerian Dutch Dairy Development will engage and promote cooperation among the government, private sector, academics, students and dairy farmers.
“It will undertake activities that will improve the dairy chain in Nigeria, focusing on both the upstream and downstream sides of the chain,” Langat said in a statement released ahead of the formal launch.
The FrieslandCampina executive, however, submitted that the sustainability of agricultural policies is key to driving Nigeria’s economic development.
“Relying on data projecting Nigeria’s population growth, FrieslandCampina WAMCO is hopeful that the establishment of a strong agriculture sector is one of the pillars that will bring economic and social stability to Nigeria.
“This requires a fundamental long-term development of all areas needed to create an effective and efficient dairy sector,” he said.
On his part, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, expressed optimism in the potentials and role of the CNDDD.
Describing Nigeria as a “resource base for dairy development”, Nanono expressed confidence in the centre’s positioning to totally modernise livestock development and milk production in the country.
The minister observed that the level of milk importation in Nigeria has been a source of concern to the government, adding that the country hopes it will be able to stop milk importation by 2022. Nanono, therefore, pledged the ministry’s unwavering support for the project.
On his part, the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, also expressed optimism in the success of the venture.
Osibajo, who was represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, further gave assurance of the Federal Government’s support.
Governors present at the virtual launch included Sani Bello of Niger State, Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak of Kwara State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
‘Areas of focus for CNDD’
Executives during the launch explained that CNDDD will be the focal point for expert research and training on dairy development in the country.
It will also focus on breeding, farming and feeding management as well as quality control and productivity on each cow.
They further noted that CNDDD’s “grass to gloss policy” will ensure a total revamp of Nigeria’s dairy sector.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA