The Nigerian Government has announced its approval of the national dairy policy.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this policy is meant to guide operations in the dairy value chain, boost livestock production, and reduce attacks on farmers by herders.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, revealed this in Abuja as he spoke about the upcoming 2023 World Milk Day from May 31 to June 1.
According to the Minister, this year’s milk day theme is ‘Sustainable Dairy: Good for Planet, Good for You”.
He claimed that the theme speaks directly to the need for international efforts to make milk production, collection, and processing climate-smart.
Abubakar said the policy was necessary to ensure a stable and sustainable dairy sector, that would give livestock farmers a sense of belonging.
“The policy is also aimed to drive massive investments in the industry to create jobs and wealth for Nigerians.
The Minister noted that the celebrations in the dairy value chain have positively impacted the sector and advanced dairy activities in Nigeria.
“This is evidenced by the huge number of partnership request stakeholders in the industry and increased interest in the development of the dairy sector.
“This is also a pointer to the positive impact the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and its partners have made in intensifying the need for backward integration.
“As well as looking inwards and developing our indigenous dairy industry in line with the present administration’s policy on local content,” he said.
The Minister added that the Agric Ministry through the Bank of Agriculture, would provide financial empowerment to livestock farmers to enhance their productivity and resilience, citing that Nigeria’s dairy industry would continue to receive support to boost the production of quality milk, meat, and other products.
On the impacts the ministry had made in dairy farming, he said capacity building and empowerment on hygienic milk production and processing, construction and equipping of 13 milk collection centers in Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, Niger, and Plateau States
“Through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s backward integration, the dairy sector was revitalized and has attracted foreign investments and the creation of ranches across the country.
The National President, of the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria, Dianabasi Akpainyang, commended Federal Government over the approval of the policy, urging dairy ranchers in the country to support the government’s effort in order to have a competitive and productive dairy sub-sector.
