The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, has announced that implementing the National Dairy Policy could save Nigeria $1.5 billion annually spent on milk imports.
Speaking in Abuja on World Milk Day, Abdullahi emphasized the government’s commitment to revitalizing the dairy sector, addressing production deficits, and combating severe acute malnutrition affecting two million children due to limited animal-source food consumption.
Abdullahi explained that Nigeria’s dairy production currently falls short by nearly 60 percent, with the country consuming an average of 1.6 billion liters of milk and dairy products annually.
However, the new National Dairy Policy aims to transform the dairy industry by improving farming practices, increasing investments in processing and preservation, and promoting public-private partnerships. The policy will be officially unveiled by Vice President Kashim Shettima on June 4, 2024.
On his part, the President, Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN), Muhammadu Abubakar further highlighted the economic and nutritional opportunities within the dairy industry.
He called for increased investment and commitment from industry players to ensure sustainable development and enhance the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s socio-economic progress.
Abubakar expressed optimism that the World Milk Day celebrations, themed “Harnessing the Nutrition and Investment Opportunities in the Dairy Value Chain,” would generate practical recommendations for advancing the dairy industry.
