According to Michael Olusegun Akinruli, the CEO of Silagreen International Agro Development Limited in Nigeria, the company has partnered with the University of Zebu Breeders Association (ABCZ) in Brazil and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase food security by improving dairy production, particularly in cattle farming.

He said the cooperation was facilitated by the company’s Brazilian partner, ZEBUEMBRYO Company. He added that the MOU is a strategic cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil, particularly regarding cultural and scientific education transfer.

Akinruli stated that the arrangement would enhance the skills of Nigerian graduates and undergraduates through specialised courses in cattle production, introducing them to new technologies and modern practices. He added that this technology transfer would benefit the new Ministry of Livestock Development.

Akinruli said, “We have done it in such a way that we’ve tailor-made the programme’s courses. The courses will be short ones, in categories of one-month, three-month, and six-month, offered by this university in Brazil. It is going to be provided in a hybrid format. Part of it will be online from Nigeria, and the students are now meant to come to Brazil to finalise the training. The university we are talking about is the University of Cattle in Brazil.

“In Brazil, there’s the University of Cattle, where everything they do there, all the courses they offer, all the programs, are all around cattle nutrition, cattle genetics improvement and livestock generally.”

He said the partnership will facilitate the exposure of Nigerian youth, farmers, and even academics to hands-on practical training.

He added that it is a university on a farm, one of the topmost in Brazil, and accredited by all the necessary agencies.

He said, “It’s a big one for Nigeria because it will facilitate technology transfer, capacity building, and specialisation, as well as accelerate beef and dairy production in Nigeria”.

Akinruli further stated that  Silagreen Agro is forging connections and achieving significant progress for our generation. Beginning with a focus on nutrition, we have now expanded into genetics. Notably, Silagreen Agro is the pioneering company in Nigeria in successfully transferring embryos into our cattle.

Source: Leadership

Image Credit: New Telegraph