The Agricultural Attaché to the Brazilian Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Frederique Abreu, has announced that the successful cattle embryo transfer in Nigeria signifies a significant step towards improving dairy production and national food security.
Abreu shared this news during an interview on Tuesday, following the confirmation of positive laboratory results from the historic embryo transfer conducted at Harmony Farms in Ogun State.
He highlighted the noteworthy collaboration among Nigerian public and private sector stakeholders, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and Brazilian biotechnology firms in achieving this breakthrough.
“With this development, we expect a significant leap in livestock production in Nigeria,” Abreu said. “For instance, the average milk production per cow in Nigeria is about three litres, which is quite low. This initiative is a crucial first step toward building a viable dairy industry in the country.”
Mr. Humberto Da Rosa, Head of International Operations at Brazilian firm Zebuembryo, encouraged Nigerian farmers to adopt this technology, which he described as reflective of Brazil’s agricultural transformation.
He noted, “You have the same environmental conditions we have in Brazil and face similar challenges. Through this partnership, Nigerian farmers can achieve accelerated improvements using our breeds and genetics, particularly the Girolando breed, known for high milk yield and resistance to parasites and heat.”
He explained that Brazilian embryos had been successfully transferred into local cows, marking a historic first for Nigeria.
“Girolando, a cross between Holstein and Gyr breeds, is well-suited for Nigeria’s climate and can help change the country’s dairy narrative,” he added.
Mr. Michael Akinruli, CEO of Silagreen International Agro-Development Limited, which facilitated the embryo transfer, emphasised that this project establishes a strong foundation for developing purebred dairy and beef animals in Nigeria.
“This initiative aligns with the federal government’s push to increase milk and beef production,” Akinruli said.
“We’ve already started seeing results, and it’s exciting to envision Nigerian farmers producing globally competitive livestock.”
He noted that the project transfers technology and empowers local farmers to raise animals with a proven track record in milk and beef productivity.
Chairman of Silagreen Agro, Dr. Amos Ayodele, stated that this achievement represents a significant milestone in the nation’s agricultural advancement.
“This is the first time this has been done in Nigeria. At the start, there was understandable scepticism, but a few farmers believed in the vision and took the risk with us,” he said.
Dr. Ayodele mentioned that six farms participated in this pilot phase: Kosbaz Farm in Ilorin, Adila, Harmony, Bluerich Farms in Ogun, and Divine Living and Eagle Crest Farms in Oyo.
He further explained that the embryo transfer technology focuses on identifying and replicating the best-performing animals for milk and beef output.
“In about six months, we’ll begin to see the calves born from this technology, and they will determine the future of livestock production in Nigeria,” Ayodele stated.
He also confirmed that the Federal Government is aware of and has endorsed the project after meeting all regulatory requirements.
“We engaged relevant government bodies, including the Ministry of Livestock and the Directorate of Quaternary Exchanges, before and after the embryo transfer. All conditions were met, and the authorities are fully in the loop,” Ayodele noted.
He expressed confidence that the success of this initiative would prompt widespread adoption among Nigerian farmers.
