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
By Kehinde Akinpelu
The Chief Executive Officer, Silagreen International Agro Development Limited, Michael Olusegun Akinruli, has said that Nigeria through their company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Brazil through the University of Zebu Breeders Association (ABCZ), Brazil, The Educational Foundation For the Development Of Agricultural Sciences – (FUNDAGRI) and Associated Colleges Of UBERABA – FAZU to boost national food security through improved dairy production, especially cattle.
He added that the cooperation was facilitated by the company’s Brazilian partner – ZEBUEMBRYO Company.
He stated that the MoU is a strategic cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil moreso, in terms of cultural and scientific education transfer.
He added that it will improve skills of Nigerian graduates, and undergraduates as well as even involve specialization courses.
According to him, the beneficiaries will undergo structured courses that will sharpen their skills in cattle production and introduce them to new technologies and modern practices.
He stated that the technology transfer will be helpful to the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development.
Akinruli said: “We have done it in such a way that we’ve tailor-made the courses of the program. The courses will be short ones, and 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 finalize 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.”
The CEO said the partnership will facilitate the exposure of Nigerian youth and farmers, even academia, to hands-on practical training.
He noted that the university is fifty (50) years old.
He added that it is a university on a farm and is 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, specialization, as well as bring about an accelerated beef and dairy production in Nigeria.
“So, Silagreen Agro, is creating bridges and making things happen for our generation.
“We started out with nutrition and now we are talking about genetics and you may also wish to know that our company is the first to ever transfer embryos into our own cattle in Nigeria.”