The federal government has moved to position small-scale dairy farmers, who contribute more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s milk supply, into a competitive, inclusive, and self-reliant sector.

Chinyere Akujobi, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, made this known at a training on improved dairy farming for small-scale farmers in Maiduguri.

“Small-scale dairy farmers are the backbone of Nigeria’s dairy industry, a sector that occupies a strategic place in our livestock economy and national nutrition agenda,” she said.

Ms Akujobi, who was represented by Yahaya Abubakar, a director in the ministry, announced the ministry’s determination to empower small-scale farmers with tools and skills that would efficiently improve productivity and foster economic growth.

The permanent secretary said the ongoing training was part of the process being adopted to modernise Nigeria’s dairy industry, bridge milk production gaps, and increase output.

“The average Nigerian cow produces only one to two litres of milk per day, compared to global averages of 20 to 30 litres under improved management systems.

“This productivity gap points clearly to the need for better feeding, animal health, breeding practices, and farm management.

“Small-scale farmers, who contribute more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s milk supply, are therefore central to changing these narratives,” she said.

Ms Akujobi said that the federal government has prioritised measures to boost milk production, adding that the dairy policy had provided a clear roadmap for transforming the sector.

“The policy prioritises improved animal productivity, access to quality feed and veterinary services, structured market linkages, private sector participation, and the empowerment of smallholder farmers through extension services, capacity building, and appropriate technology.

“This capacity-building programme has been designed to address some observed gaps in the practices of small-scale dairy farmers. They (farmers) will be equipped with hands-on knowledge in improved husbandry practices, animal nutrition, hygiene, milk handling, and simple value-addition techniques that can increase income and reduce losses.

“We recognise that policies alone do not create change. Real impact happens when knowledge reaches the farmer, when skills are upgraded, and when farmers are supported to adopt better practices,” she added.

Idriss Mamu, the managing director of ZAHDIL Global Ltd, said that the three-day training programme was designed for 100 small-scale dairy farmers in Borno.

“The aim of this training is clear: to provide you (farmers) with relevant technical knowledge about best practices in dairy farming, innovative approaches to improving husbandry in pastoral contexts, and support for smallholders to increase milk production and collection for processing,” he said.

The managing director said that the training would cover milk hygiene and quality, reproduction and breeding management, disease prevention in cattle, and feeding strategies for lactating cows, among the key topics.

(NAN)