By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has inaugurated the National Dairy Policy to catalyse development in the livestock and dairy sectors to meet the annual consumption of 1.6 billion litres of milk.
The policy, unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja by the Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, aims to achieve sustainable diversification of the national economy, a key objective of its National Development Plan (2021-2025) and cut down on Nigeria’s import dependency.
The document was designed to serve as a roadmap for energising the dairy industry over the coming years following consultations and engagements with key stakeholders who shared the vision of a productive and globally competitive dairy sector in Nigeria.
While unveiling the document, Mr Shettima said milk was not a staple but a cornerstone of Nigeria’s nutritional security and economic development, noting that the theme of the 2024 Milk Day, Harnessing the Nutrition and Investment Opportunities in a Sustainable Dairy Value Chain, was particularly significant.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Agribusiness, Mr Kingsley Uzoma, the VP said since its inception, the benefits of milk and dairy products had been actively promoted worldwide, highlighting how dairy supported the livelihoods of one billion people.
“Dairy is an accessible, affordable, and nutrient-dense food, essential for balanced diets across the world. Billions of people consume milk and dairy products daily, not only as a vital source of nutrition but also as a means of livelihood for farmers, processors, shopkeepers, and other stakeholders in the dairy value chain.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that consumers, industry and governments have up-to-date information on how milk and dairy products contribute to human nutrition.
“Also how dairy-industry development can best increase food security and alleviate poverty in Nigeria,” he submitted.
Mr Shettima said dairy farming presented significant opportunities for economic development and youth employment.
“However, these opportunities do not come without challenges. Our livestock farmers often face issues such as inadequate feed for their animals, conflicts over grazing lands, and the adverse effects of climate change.”
He said that these challenges were compounded by violent conflicts between farmers and cattle herdsmen over land use.
“A situation exacerbated by increasing droughts and the pressing need for sustainable solutions. Recognising these challenges, the Federal Government is launching the National Dairy Policy intending to transform the dairy industry in Nigeria,” the country’s number two citizen stated.
Mr Shettima said the policy would address key obstacles such as the lack of modern global best practices for cross-breeding and calving, high costs of milk and poor transportation infrastructure among others.
“Currently, Nigeria spends $1.5 billion annually on importing dairy products due to a production deficit. Nigerians consume an average of 1.6 billion litres of milk and its products but domestic production is insufficient to meet this demand.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is determined to achieve national production security, with the longer term goal of eventually exporting dairy products to other African countries under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).”
He said that implementation of the policy would ensure improved dairy farming practices, increased investment in dairy processing and preservation, evidence-based policy implementation, and enhanced collaboration.
Mr Shettima said that it would also enable ease of business for the dairy industry, fostering public-private partnerships, embracing technology and innovation, and empowering women-friendly and youth-centric business models.
“Its implementation will promote good animal health practices, and monitoring and evaluating progress,” he said.
On his part, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Aliyu Abdullahi, said that the national dairy policy was in line with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reposition the livestock sector.
He said that the document would create an enabling and supportive environment for growth in the dairy sector, adding that there was potential in the dairy industry.
He noted that with consistency and steadfastness to the policy’s implementation, Nigeria would before long become self-sufficient in milk and dairy products.
