by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The National Dairy Policy – designed to enhance Livestock Farming by ensuring a stable and sustainable dairy sector, to reduce the protracted conflict between farmers and herders as well as drive massive investments in the industry – has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, disclosed this to newsmen during the Ministerial briefing of 2023 World Milk Day in Abuja recently, with the theme, ‘Sustainable Dairy: Good for Planet, Good for You.’
He said, the policy would create more job opportunities, reduce National Expenditure on Importation of Milk and Milk Products as well as improve the Nutritional Status of Nigerians.
He added that, the policy would provide enabling environment for increase in milk production, processing, distribution and consumption and earnings of the livestock farmers.
According to him, “The ministry would use the opportunity of World Milk Day to coordinate focused discussions on Dairy Development in Nigeria from the views of industry experts in Finance, Agribusiness, environment and other related areas, and communiqué will be issued at the end of the event.
The minister further explained that, “The Ministry with Developmental Partners will use the opportunity of the event to showcase her achievements in milk production, collection, processing and transportation, as well as enlighten Nigerians on achievements of National programmes on Pasture Development, Animal Feed and Feed Security, Breeding and Conservation, Dairy Development, among others, under the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP),” he stated.
He explained some of the achievements in the Diary Sub Sector, which include, capacity building and empowerment programmes on hygienic milk production and processing for dairy farmers in Bauchi and Plateau States.
“Others include, the construction and equipping 12 milk collection centers at 2 per State in Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, Niger and Plateau States; and these milk collection centers are awaiting handing over to milk processors, among others,” he stated.
The minister further noted that, the Ministry through the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) would provide financial empowerment to Livestock Farmers to boost their productivity and resilience.
Also speaking, the National President, Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria, CODARAN, Dianabasi Akpainyang, commended the Federal Government over the approval of the National Dairy Policy.
He also urged the Dairy Ranchers in the country to support the Government’s effort, in order to have a competitive and productive Dairy Subsector.
The Managing Partner, Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition, Temi Adegoroye, pledged continuous technical support of its organization to the development of Dairy Sub Sector.
Also, the Director, Animal Husbandry Services, Mrs. Winnie Lai Solarin, stated that the National Dairy Policy would fast-track development in the Dairy Sub-Sector and increase earnings of livestock farmers.
Our correspondent reports that, the 2023 World Milk Day Celebration will Feature Lectures, Discussions, Exhibitions and Children’s Programmes and will take place at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry Complex, along Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road, Lugbe, Abuja, FCT, from 31st May to 1st June 2023.
The ministry, in collaboration with six other organizations, namely, the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN); Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI); SAHEL Consulting and Nutrition Nigeria Ltd; Agriculture Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), and Centre for Journalism and Innovation Development (CJID) will be celebrating a 2023 Mega World Milk Day.
