Ogun State Government in partnership with Fan Milk/Danone has trained 85 Dairy farmers, to boost dairy milk collection and production in the State.

 Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina who addressed the farmers at the Eweje Farm Institute, Odeda, said the present administration had rejuvenated the economy through agriculture, hence the successful completion of the training programme.

Odedina noted that commissioning of the Fan Milk processing facility a few months ago, necessitated the need to train farmers in the sustainable management of an inclusive supply chain of the milk industry.

He said "this is the first of its kind and I am happy to announce that the Governor is working in terms of collaborating with partners for the industrialisation of the sector and has proved that contrary to opinion, large-scale dairy farming can be done in the Southwest and Ogun State is doing it big with Fan Milk/Danone’’.

 The Commissioner assured that the collaboration would facilitate food and nutrition security, create jobs and boost the economy of individuals and the State in general.

In his remarks, the Vice President, Operations, Danone (Africa & Asia), Mr. Domenico Abanese, said the training was an opportunity to transfer knowledge gained through experience over the years to the beneficiaries, to transform their activities and farming techniques for profitability and economic viability, adding that the lessons learned in the course of training would have a real impact on the participants, their families and the community.

Contributing, the Operations Director for Danone (West Africa), Mr. Godwin Allen revealed that the establishment of Fan Milk/Danone dairy farm in Odeda was  to improve the economy of the community and the nation at large, saying the farmers were taught dairy practices, animal health and milk collection processes, as well as how to increase productivity from their cows.

Allen noted that as the farmers improve in their milk collection, Fan milk would be ready for off-take for onward production, towards ensuring self-sufficiency in local milk production for the country.

One of the beneficiaries from Osiele, Mariam Mofikoya, applauded the organisers of the training, noting that it had been an eye opener and avenue to maximise their profit across the dairy value chain.