ASHENEWS reports that the federal government has launched the National Diary Policy (2023-2028).
The document, is intended to guide both public and private sector investors in the Nigerian dairy industry for the attainment of self- sufficiency in milk production and global competitiveness.
Speaking during the official unveiling of the National Dairy Policy Document during an event to mark the 2024 World Milk Day with the theme, “Harnessing the Nutrition and Investment Opportunities in a Sustainable Dairy Value Chain,” in Abuja recently, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said that the policy document will help address key challenges hindering the growth of the dairy industry in Nigeria.
Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Agribusiness and productivity Enhancement), Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, Shettima identified the obstacles to include the lack of modern global best practices for cross-breeding and calving, midstream challenges, amongst others.
Shettima said that Nigeria spends $1.5 billion annually to import dairy products hence the need to enhance the effectiveness of the country’s dairy production system.
“Currently, Nigeria spends $1.5 billion annually on importing dairy products due to a production deficit, Nigerians consume an average of 1.6 billion liters of milk and its products, but domestic production is insufficient to meet this demand,” he said.
Shettima while reiterating the federal government’s commitment to achieving national production security, noted that the government has set a longer term goal of exporting dairy products to other African countries under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
“The potential in Nigeria’s dairy sector is reflected in significant investments from both local and international firms.
“Companies like FrieslandCampina WAMCO and Danone’s Fan Milk have launched extensive backward integration projects with the aim of boosting local milk production and fostering a strong market for dairy products, reducing the need for imports and enhancing food and nutritional security.
“Those involve setting up state-of-the-art dairy farms and processing facilities, creating thousands of jobs and promoting local economic development.
“Comprehensive development strategies are crucial to overcoming the challenges faced by the Nigerian dairy industry while the Federal Government led by His Excellency Mr. President will continue to support such laudable efforts by sustaining an enabling environment for the sustainable inflow of much needed capital and technology transfer, we know not to rest on our oars. Greater investment in the sector and better regulatory frameworks are essential to support growth and impact at scale,” the Vice President added.
In his presentation, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, explained that the Dairy Transformation Plan of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and The National Industry Policy of the Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment were reviewed and merged to come up with the policy document.
The Minister stated that the approval demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s dairy industry.
He added that the Dairy Policy would aid in the creation of an enabling and supportive environment, the creation of jobs and import reduction, milk production targets, milk collection centres, cooperatives business structures, and massive investments amongst others.
