Nigeria records first successful cattle embryo transfer
Nigeria records first successful cattle embryo transfer
The Agricultural Attaché to the Brazilian Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Frederique Abreu, has said the successful outcome of a recent cattle embryo transfer in Nigeria marks a major step toward boosting dairy production and national food security.
Abreu disclosed this during an interview with journalists on Tuesday, following the confirmation of a positive laboratory result from the historic embryo transfer carried out at Harmony Farms in Ogun State.
According to him, the collaboration among Nigerian public and private sector stakeholders, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and Brazilian biotechnology firms was central to the 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.”
Also speaking, Mr Humberto Da Rosa, Head of International Operations at Brazilian firm Zebuembryo, urged Nigerian farmers to embrace the technology, which he said mirrors Brazil’s agricultural transformation.
“You have the same environmental conditions we have in Brazil and face similar challenges,” Da Rosa said. “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 transferred into local cows, with positive gestation results confirmed for the first time in Nigeria’s history.
“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.
Chief Executive Officer of Silagreen International Agro-Development Limited, Mr Michael Akinruli, whose company facilitated the embryo transfer, said the project lays a strong foundation for the emergence of 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.”
