A major step for food security: Silagreen unveils Nigeria’s first embryo transfer-born Girolando calf

Nigeria has recorded an important breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology as Silagreen International Agro Development Limited, a Nigerian agri-biotech firm, unveiled the country’s first embryo transfer-born Girolando calf at Harmony Farms in Odogbolu, Ogun State.

The development is being described as a major step forward for Nigeria’s dairy industry and the Federal Government’s food security efforts. According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Akinruli, the birth of the calf marks a new phase for dairy productivity in the country and has the potential to improve the livelihoods of farming families and rural communities through more stable and reliable dairy income.

The healthy female calf was produced under Silagreen’s Advanced Tropical Genetic Improvement Programme, which uses embryo transfer technology to introduce superior cattle genetics into Nigeria. Embryo transfer allows embryos from high-quality donor cows to be implanted into other cows, making it possible to multiply elite genetics much faster than through traditional breeding methods.

Silagreen explained that it deployed advanced embryo transfer technology from Brazil to introduce Girolando cattle genetics into Nigeria. The Girolando breed, a cross between Holstein and Gyr cattle, is well known for its high milk production, strong resistance to heat, and ability to thrive in tropical environments like Nigeria’s. When fully grown, the calves are expected to produce between 30 and 50 litres of milk per day, far higher than the output of most local breeds.

Akinruli noted that the birth of the calf is more than a scientific success, describing it as a practical asset for the future of Nigerian dairy farming. He said the programme would help farmers improve their herds within a single generation, reduce animal mortality, lower veterinary costs, and increase profitability through higher milk yield per cow. He also disclosed that the calf is the first in a carefully planned group, with several more embryo transfer-born calves expected between now and March 2026.

To expand the impact of the programme, Silagreen has begun engaging with federal and state governments, agricultural agencies, financial institutions, and commercial farms to create supportive policies, improve access to financing, and integrate advanced breeding technologies into national livestock programmes.

The Chairman of the company, Dr Amos Ayodele, said the breakthrough aligns with Nigeria’s goals of food security, import substitution, and economic diversification. He warned that dairy imports continue to drain the country’s foreign reserves and stressed that improving local milk production through science-based solutions offers a sustainable way forward. He added that the initiative would create jobs across the dairy value chain, encourage technology transfer, and build local expertise in modern agricultural biotechnology.

Silagreen disclosed that the first phase of the project succeeded through partnerships with several commercial farms, including Harmony Farms in Odogbolu, Adila Niche Farms, Blue Ridge Farms, Kosbaz Farm in Ilorin, Eagle Crest Ranch in Eruwa, Divine Living Farms in Iseyin, and Mirth Farms in Asejire.

The unveiling of Nigeria’s first embryo transfer-born Girolando calf highlights the growing role of local innovation in addressing long-standing challenges in food production and shows how modern agricultural technology can be applied successfully within Nigeria’s environment to support sustainable growth in the dairy sector.