Outspan supports farmers and schools to mark World Milk Day
By Trek Africa Newspaper
Vice Chairman of Doguwa LGA, Dauda Hamisu; Secretary of Doguwa LGA, Sani Idris; Representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Garba Aminu; Sabiu Dasuki, a customer of the dairy business; Regional Manager, Outspan Nigeria Limited, Manish Khede; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANR), Balarabe Hassan Karaye; and representative of the District Head of Kura, Balarabe Muhammed, with school pupils made up of dairy farmers’ children, during the commemoration of the World Milk Day by Outspan and KADLCU in Imawa, Kano on Wednesday, June 1, 2022
In celebration of World Milk Day (WMD) 2022, Outspan Nigeria Limited, a key player in the local dairy value chain and a subsidiary of ofi (olam food ingredients), has distributed rich compound animal feed, launched a modern cold truck for raw milk and trained farmers on modern dairy farming. The activities underscored Outspans determination to scale its backward integration programme and value chain development efforts.
Other activities executed by the company on Wednesday, June 1, in Kano, included the donation and distribution of educational gift items to school pupils to enhance learning in local schools.
Speaking at the event, Praveen Paulsamy, the Vice President for ofi Dairy in Nigeria, represented by Manish Khede, Regional Manager, said, We prioritize investment in key areas of the local dairy value chain. Our scaled growth actions as seen in the launch of the cold truck for our Milk Collection Centres (MCCs); the distribution to smallholder farmers, rich compound animal feed comprising cottonseed cake amongst others which contain a high level of fibre and protein that nourish dairy cattle; the lecture on modern dairy farming practices; and the distribution of useful stationery items to pupils, underpin our strategic approach to improving the local dairy sector, the livelihood of smallholder farmers, and the host communities, in line with the federal government agriculture and economic development agendas.
L-R: Chairman, Kano Dairy & Livestock Husbandry Cooperative Union (KADALCU), Usman A. Usman; Representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Garba Aminu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANR), Balarabe Hassan Karaye; Regional Manager, Outspan Nigeria Limited, Manish Khede, presenting school bags and notebooks to school pupils made up of dairy farmers’ children, during the commemoration of the World Milk Day by Outspan and KADLCU in Imawa, Kano on Wednesday, June 1, 2022
World Milk Day is observed globally to emphasize the importance of the dairy sector to the world economy. The theme for this years observance covers sustainability in the dairy industry, as well as nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic empowerment. Through its robust backward integration programmes, Outspan has frequently executed growth projects, in collaboration with the Kano Dairy & Livestock Husbandry Cooperative Union (KADALCU), to expand capacity in the dairy sector, drive improved productivity and enhance smallholder farmers livelihoods.
Outspan continues to demonstrate its goal of driving real growth in the local dairy sector through the implementation of several initiatives under its “Milk Mission” programme, its signature dairy value chain development vehicle on a sustainable basis.
Under the programme, some of its previous sustainability efforts and value chain development initiatives include the strategic location of four MCCs close to dairy farm clusters, cattle vaccination and artificial insemination exercises for over 100 cattle. The business seeks to empower and build capacity through workshops to expose smallholder dairy farmers to modern farming practices. As well, it keeps providing logistic systems to aid the effective collection of raw milk and deepen market linkages for the farmers.
Meanwhile, Babbangida Jino, the Branch Controller for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kano branch, who was represented by Aminu Garba Idris, the branch manager, at the World Milk Day event, promised to increase support for dairy and livestock farmers, through its Anchor Borrower Programme, to tackle the increasing economic loss of dairy produce due to inadequate cold chain system.
In a demonstration of appreciation for the valuable impact made on the dairy value chain by Outspan, Usman Abdullahi Usman, the chairman of Kano Dairy Union, explained, The Kano Dairy Union, which is made up of over 70,000 members, keep seeing improved milk production outputs since Outspan embarked on the backward integration programme. These current engagements are even going to stimulate bumper production levels and help drive up our incomes.
About ofi
ofi (olam food ingredients) is a new operating group born out of Olam International. ofi offers sustainable, natural, value-added food products and ingredients so that consumers can enjoy the healthy and indulgent products they love. It consists of industry-leading businesses of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices. ofi has built a unique global value chain presence including its own farming operations, farm-gate origination, and manufacturing facilities. ofi partners with customers, leveraging its complementary and differentiated portfolio of on-trend food products, to co-create solutions that anticipate and meet changing consumer preferences as demand increases for healthier food thats traceable and sustainable.
More information on ofi can be found at www.ofi.com. Follow @ofi-group on LinkedIn.
About Olam Group
Olam Group is a leading food and agri-business supplying food, ingredients, feed and fibre to 20,900 customers worldwide. Our value chain spans over 60 countries and includes farming, processing and distribution operations, as well as a global network of farmers. Through our purpose to Re-imagine Global Agriculture and Food Systems, Olam Group aims to address the many challenges involved in meeting the needs of a growing global population, while achieving positive impact for farming communities, our planet and all our stakeholders. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, Olam Group currently ranks among the top 30 largest primary listed companies in terms of market capitalisation on SGX-ST. Since June 2020, Olam Group has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series, a global sustainable investment index series developed by FTSE Russell, following a rigorous assessment of Olams supply chain activities, impact on the environment and governance transparency. The FTSE4Good Index Series identifies companies that demonstrate strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices and is used by a variety of market participants to create and assess responsible investment funds.
More information on Olam can be found at www.olamgroup.com. Follow @olam.
