A dairy company, Friesland Campina WAMCO and Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, have partnered on milk production to reduce importation of milk into the country.

The step, which is for the dairy company to source its milk from local farmers, is being done through the university’s College of Agriculture Engineering and Science as part of its community service activities in the state.

The development led to a one-day awareness campaign and knowledge acquisition workshop on the value chain of the product, organised by the two parties to intimate the communities on the benefits of dairy farming.

Speaking at the programme, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, emphasised that Bowen University would not relent in its community services and sustainable economic empowerment opportunities through research and development in the university.

He said: “The university has developed a pasturage on the campus in preparation for the special cattle that can yield more milk than our local animals in the country. The research on the availability of the special animals and their feed is ongoing on campus and the university will make the animals accessible to the local farmers in the state.

“Already, we have the semen from Girolando breed of cattle from Brazil for artificial cross-breeding with our local animals. Research has confirmed that the process will be successful and that the animal can cope with our weather successfully. Then, the university will, in turn, make the cow available for the local farmers, and train them on grazing and management of the cow.”

Professor Ogunwole added that if every household in the state would embrace the venture, the development would go a long way to enhance their earnings, thereby reducing poverty in society.

He said: “No university can survive without collaboration with the industry. One of the things that make universities in the United States strong and great is their collaboration with the industry. What the Bowen is trying to do is to enter a marriage with industries that can influence the community, that can enhance the livelihood of the people.”

The Global Director, Diary Development, Friesland Campina, Mrs Yvonne van der Vorst, said the initiative would reduce importation and improve welfare of the farmers.