World Milk Day: Stakeholders brainstorm on solutions to challenges facing Nigeria’s diary industry
…Call for speedy approval of National Diary Policy by FEC, massive investment in milk production
By Ogaga Ariemu
Plethora of stakeholders within Nigeria’s Diary industry recently gathered in Abuja to seek solutions to the low local production, insecurity, rising prices, foreign exchange and other challenges bedevilling the industry.
World Diary Day, held on June 1st was established in 2001 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to celebrate the dairy sector and recognise the significance of milk as an important component of food.
In marking this year’s celebration, the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODRAN), Sahel Consulting Agriculture in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, other partners in the milk industry conveyed an high-power conference to chart a way forward.
The event focused on the theme, “Catalyzing a Milk Revolution in Nigeria through Strategic Investment in Dairy Development,” looking at the transformation, development and good policy environment for the dairy value chain.
The event highlighted the opportunity and potential that could be exploited in terms of financial opportunity, creation of job opportunity and positioning the sector to contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
Speaking at the event, representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Director, Department of Animal Husbandry Service of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Winifred Ifeoma lai-Solarin, stated that the theme of this year’s conference aligns very seamlessly with the economic diversification and sustainability focus of government and all critical stakeholders.
“This annual conference held globally and celebrated in the world today will no doubt ensure that the very critical and strategic sector remain in the forefront of our national economic discourse until we get to where we want to go,” she said.
Mrs. Winifred stressed that, “The Federal Ministry of Agriculture Trade and Investments is also at the forefront of implanting the National Livestock Field Improvement programme, National Pasture Development programme and the Livestock Productivity and Resilient support project.”
Speaking on the sideline of the conference with NewsDirect Newspaper, The Executive Director Commercial Dairy Rancher Association of Nigeria (CODRAN), Mr Dianabasi Akpainyang called on the federal government to quickly approve National Diary Policy.
He stated that Nigeria’s Diary sector will equal that of Kenya and India if that federal government executive council okays the National Diary Policy document.
Meanwhile, Keynote Speaker, Operations officer-Upstream, International Finance Corporation(IFC) Manufacturing Agricbusiness and Services, African, Dr Hope Pachena, Panelist, MD/CEO L& Z Interated Farms Nigeria Limited, Kano Ahjahi M.D Abubakar represented by Mr Ojo Paul, another Panelist, MD/CEO Integrated Diaries Limited, Jos, Mr Sheyin Shekarri, also the General Manager, Delifrost Caterers Nigeria Limited, Anthony Alkosseifi all stated that colossal investment in the local production, processing and manufacturing of dairy products, panacea to unprecedented growth in the sector.
Major decisions arrived at the conference are expected to stimulate federal government, private sector and stakeholders at improving the Nigeria’s diary ecosystem.
