FrieslandCampina started its dairy development programme some thirty years ago, the aim of which is to help small-scale dairy farmers and their organisations in Asia and Africa to manage their farms as efficiently as possible, by providing technical support and sharing knowledge.

Farmers are trained by local extension staff and by Dutch farmers, who under the umbrella of the so-called Farmer2Farmer programme, give practical trainings. In 2013 Frisian Flag started a project together with two Indonesian dairy cooperatives, the Indonesian and Dutch Government, Agriterra (a Dutch NGO), Wageningen University and the Friesian (consultancy) to develop and train farmers in selected dairy development villages and zones. One of the key activities of DDP in Indonesia is the improvement of milk collection. This is done by training farmers and the introduction of milk collection points with cooling tanks (MCPs). In September 2015 an automated MCP was introduced in Los Cimaung Pangalengan, West Java involving 189 farmers. The programme has proven successful and benefits both farmers and processors; milk quality increased considerably, after three months there was an increase in production of 10% and farmers income increased on average by 10%. In total 9 MCPs will be upgraded in accordance with the MCP in Pangalengan. In 2016 Frisian Flag Indonesia initiated the setting up of a Young Farmer Academy to make the profession of dairy farmer more attractive to young people. In the academy practical trainings are given various topics related to milk quality, animal health and governance and the set-up of a young farmers organization in Indonesia

The Programme uses a number of instruments to empower local farmers including trainings, the improvement of milk collection and expert missions. In Indonesia, FrieslandCampina initiated the setting up of a Young Farmer Academy to make the sector more attractive to young dairy farmers.

Since 2013 FrieslandCampina has a partnership with Agriterra. Through Agriterra employees and Board Members of FrieslandCampina have trained dairy cooperatives (among others) in the field of good governance and about the importance of setting up a Youth Council.

The Indonesian and Dutch Government, Agriterra, Wageningen University and the Frisian Flag