PRAN and Arla completes the first phase of the diary development Project in Bangladesh

24 October 2022, Dhaka

PRAN Dairy Limited, the country’s leading dairy company, and Arla Foods Bangladesh Limited, the local subsidiary of European dairy cooperative Arla Foods have recently completed the first phase of the jointly initiated dairy development project in Bangladesh.

With the objective of showcasing a market-driven and sustainable dairy production to increase milk productivity and quality, alongside the economic output of the local dairy value chain in Bangladesh, PRAN Dairy and Arla Bangladesh initiated this collaboration earlier this year.

In the primary phase of the collaboration, both organizations conducted farm assessments to build capacity and identify opportunities for more sustainable dairy farming solutions. Subsequently, a series of training sessions were conducted targeting trainers, extension staff, and other relevant stakeholders to supplement the ongoing dairy activities.

The training sessions were led by the Senior Project Manager of Arla Foods Nigeria Snorri Sigurdsson with the aid of Dr. Mohammad Mohi Uddin Professor of the Department of Animal Nutrition at the Bangladesh Agricultural University,

The five training sessions started in early May this year and ended in the last week of September. For the previous session, Snorri Sigurdsson visited Bangladesh to provide on-spot practical and theoretical knowledge to the trainers of Pran Dairy. The last session was conducted in the North Western region of Bangladesh, Rangpur, which is a significant dairy collection hub for Pran.

Senior Project Manager of Arla Foods Nigeria Snorri Sigurdsson observed, “The situation in Bangladesh is not at all much different from many other countries I have visited dairy farmers in. Overall the production conditions are for sure not easy for dairy farming in Bangladesh with the hot weather and sometimes high humidity, both of which cows do not like at all, but that is manageable with the right knowledge.”

The first four sessions were conducted online focusing on milk production and quality, the right environment for dairy farms and animal welfare, feed and feeding for the cows, and a comprehensive outlook on dairy cow management.

Chairman & CEO of PRAN-RFL Group Ahsan Khan Chowdhury commented, “Our major challenge was the technical know-how to make the dairy sector a proper business industry by organizing small farmers across the country. Till date, PRAN has partnered with many international organizations to help the country’s dairy sector since its inception. Now PRAN is working with Arla to accommodate the European farm management system in Bangladesh. I hope the initiative will help our farmers and dairy sector.”

Managing Director of Arla Foods Bangladesh Peter Hallberg remarked, “Aligned with our Future 26 strategy, we feel that we can contribute significantly to the overall development of the dairy sector, as well as supporting the dairy ambition of the country.”

As a part of this collaboration, apart from strengthening the local dairy value chain, there will be a further collaboration with Bangladesh Agricultural University to collect data systematically and scientifically to analyze the social, environmental, and economic impact of the collaboration.

About

Arla Foods is an international dairy company owned by 8,900 farmers from Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Arla Foods is one of the leading players in the international dairy arena with well-known brands like Arla®, Lurpak®, Puck®, Castello® and Dano®. Arla Foods is focused on providing good dairy nourishment from sustainable farming and operations and is also the world's largest manufacturer of organic dairy products. Dano® gives access to milk to millions of Bangladesh people at an affordable price

Media Contact:

Saleh Uz Zaman
Head of Communications
Arla Foods Bangladesh Ltd.
Phone: +8801819932610