Envoy, Others laud positive result of first Nigeria’s cattle embryo transfer
We no longer need to be importing cattle anymore – Divine Living Farms MD
Kehinde Akinpelu, ilorin
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Agricultural Attachee to the Brazilian Embassy, Mr. Frederique Rosa E Abreu; International Business Director to Zebuembryo, the Technical Partner to Silagreen International Agro Development Ltd, Mr Humberto Da Rosa; Chief Executive Officer of Silagreen International Agro-Development Limited, Mr Michael Akinruli; Chairman Silagreen Agro, Engr. Dr. Amos Ayodele; Managing Director, Blue Ridge Farm Mr. Kunle Obisesan; Director, Adila Niche Farm, Mr. Solanke Abel, and Managing Director, Divine Living Farms, Mr. Olu Balogun, have said the positive laboratory result of the cattle embryo transfer in Nigeria will improve national food security by fast-tracking massive dairy production.
They spoke in separate interviews with journalists on Tuesday.
Abreu stated that the achievement is the testament to the power of international cooperation, bringing together both public and private sectors in pursuit of sustainable livestock improvement.
He explained that the public officials, the technical team for the ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of both countries worked to reach a mutual understanding which led to the approval of the international certification.
He added that in the private sector, the collaboration between Brazilian biotechnology and the Nigerian agriculture company has been instrumental in making the breakthrough a reality.
He commended the leadership of Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock and Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, for his commitment to modernize the sector, adding that such has been crucial.
International Business Director to Zebuembryo, the Technical Partner to Silagreen International Agro Development Ltd, Mr Humberto Da Rosa, said the feat is a very important milestone in Nigeria.
He said: “We made the diagnosis of gestation for the first cows, early Nigerian cows, who had received the first embryos in Nigerian history. Then we transferred embryos from Brazil to Nigerian cows in Harmony Farms in Ogun State. And we achieved a good result with this embryo transfer. And we strongly believe that it will help to change the dairy production in Nigeria with Brazilian breeds, mainly Girolando breeds.
“Girolando is a crossbreeding breed. They are breed donors with Holstein Moose. In Brazil, we have a very good average milk production with this breed. And this breed is more resistant against parasites, and it is more resistant against heat and wet conditions, mainly during the rainy season.”
Rosa who is in charge of international operations in (Zebuembryo) urged Nigerian farmers to adopt the new technology as possible as he stated that it changes the Nigerian model of production.
Chief Executive Officer of Silagreen International Agro-Development Limited, Mr Michael Akinruli, said the novel technology has been a great learning for farmers in Nigeria.
He stated that the feat is a very good one and the first time as well as playing the foundational talk of purebred dairy and beef animals in Nigeria.
He said: “So it’s a good one, yeah. It will impact very positively because as you would know, the present government is doing everything possible to boost beef and milk production in the country. And they are working towards profit out of their netting from brand deals and here in Silagreen Agro, we are showing the result. We started early and we are already showing results.”
Chairman Silagreen Agro, Engr. Dr. Amos Ayodele who expressed excitement at the positive outcome of the result as the intention of the company to revolutionize cattle production in Nigeria was becoming a reality as it is.
He said: “Of course, because this is the first of its kind in Nigeria, it has never happened before. Our customers were naturally not very sure, but we were able to sell the technology to them through some knowledge that we know.
“We got them to embrace the idea, and at the end of the day, they also took the risk to come into it, and today is a moment for everybody to be excited. So, we have this sense to actually do this technology, but six farmers embraced this idea first. And honestly, we cannot but recognize their confidence and trust in us to have signed up for this program.
He added: “So, this will transfer into Nigerian cattle, which means we have the full range, all right, of animals at the end of the day. So, the future of animal production in Nigeria will be determined by the cows that these animals will give birth to, you know, in about six months from now.
“The Federal government is aware of the positive result. So, before the transfer, the concerned Government authorities were engaged and the due processes complied with. After the transfer, we had a meeting with the Minister of Livestock and the Directorate of Quaternary Exchanges was also aware because they were the one who approved the imposition of the technology. “
Managing Director, Divine Living Farms, Mr. Olu Balogun, said the development is exciting and the first of many procedures that will happen in Nigeria.
He said: “With this we have the confidence that we don’t necessarily need to be importing cattle anymore. We can actually come in, Sela Green and their partners, to our own local cattle, be able to do the embryo transfer successfully, knowing that it’s going to be more cost effective as well. And as you know, seeing is believing, once the news spreads throughout Nigeria as a whole, people will have more confidence to go down that route.
“Because we all strive in the dairy industry to have genetically improved animals and that’s the only way we can achieve optimum milk production. And so, this will go a long way in helping farmers get to this point where we’re actually spending a lot of money.
“The technology will lead to increased milk production in Nigeria, because for any dairy farm to have optimum milk production, they need to have those genetically improved animals. Because these are the animals that are known to be able to produce the amount of milk that we desire as a farmer. Artificial insemination, although it’s good, it does not give us what we actually need because we still have elements of crossbreeding. So, for example, you take one of our local Bukolos and give them AI, the result will still be 50% Bukolo, so you still have not achieved that maximum.
“But when you use the embryo as well, of that genetic makeup that you already have, that you desire, the outcome of what you’ll be getting once the cow gives birth, will be the full breed that you desire. The full breed born in our own country, Nigeria. There’s nothing more than that we need from there, because we have the genetics. They are actually born in the country, so the acclimatization and all that stuff is not necessary. And that’s the optimum space we need to be in. And the fact that we’ve done it in Nigeria, and we’ll be able to continue to do it, is very, very pleasing and it’s just an amazing success story in my view.”
He added: “I’m very proud to be one of the pioneer farmers who went through this process. And all I can say is that we’ll continue to use this process to make sure we can expand our flock. And hopefully we’ll get even more results as we go along.
Because as you know, the more you do something, the better you’ll get at it. And people will be more confident to put their money where their mouth is.
“So, if say, for example, I did 10 before, I would be happy enough to go out there and do more than 10. Because I’ve seen it. I’ve seen the results.”
