Dairy makers get input relief from Fulani herdsmen

Amid high foreign currency cost, which has made raw materials importation almost impossible, dairy makers are getting more local milk from Fulani herdsmen who now prefer to settle in particular locations rather than move around with their cows.

FrieslandCampina Wamco, a Dutch dairy giant in Nigeria, currently gets three to ten percent of its input needs from Fulani herdsmen who are settled in four locations in Oyo State.

“We believe this will enhance dairy production in Nigeria as it affirms our unwavering commitment to the provision of quality nutrition to Nigerians,” said Ore Famurewa, corporate affairs director, during a factory tour in Oyo state.

FrieslandCampina Wamco has succeeded in settling Fulani herdsmen in Fasola, Alaga, Maya and Iseyin, all in Oyo State, and plans to provide quality education for the farmers.

Famurewa said the biggest advantage for Fulani herdsmen was that they now had a ready market for their milk and had received different levels of quality training from the company’s professionals.

“One thing it also does is that it guarantees peace and safety in these villages. You hardly hear clashes between farmers and herdsmen in Oyo State,” she said.

Tunde Oyelola, vice chairman of PZ Cussons, who is in charge of this project for the dairy company, said the industry had succeeded in upgrading the status of Fulani herdsmen, adding that availability of local milk was helping the multinational avoid factory interruptions.