Copyright tribuneonlineng
Kaduna governor, Senator Uba Sani, has said Arla Foods, one of the world’s leading dairy companies has invested ten million pounds in a dairy processing facility in Damau, Kubau local government area of the State. According to him the investment is aimed at boosting local milk production and creating job opportunities as well as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s dairy value chain and reduce dependence on imported milk products. Speaking at the open day ceremony, the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, described the investment as a major boost to the state’s industrialization drive and a demonstration of growing investor confidence in Kaduna’s business environment. Governor Sani promised that his administration will improve the livestock industry, bridge infrastructure deficit, facilitate access to markets and attract investment. Represented by the Secretary to Kaduna State Government, Dr AbdulKadir Muazu Meyere , the Governor further said that Arla Farms targets ‘’a 4–5 million kg milk output target at full capacity annually.’’ According to him, there has been a boost in local milk production as well as the creating of local direct and indirect jobs at Arla Farms since his administration came on board. ‘’In the livestock subsector, Kaduna State has the Kaduna State Livestock Regulatory Authority (KADLRA), the Kaduna State Livestock Transformation Company, and the Kaduna Ranch Development Company, all of which are designed to work in synergy,’’ he added. The Governor expressed delight to be part of the unveiling of ‘’ the Nigeria Dairy Center of Excellence, the Sedentarization and Climate change Resilience in Nigeria (SCREEN) Project, as well as commissioning of a yoghurt factory.’’ Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, noted that the Arla Farm is a result of the Federal Government`s policy on local content development/backward integration. The Minister who represented President Bola Tinubu, commended the officials of the Federal Government, the Kaduna State Government, and Arla for this win-win initiative. He lamented that Nigeria currently produces only about 0.7 million litres of milk annually, which is far below the amount required to meet the nutritional needs of its population. ‘’Our average per capita consumption of 8.7 million litres of milk per year is not only well below the global average but also alarmingly lower than the World Health Organisation’s recommended intake of 210 litres per person annually. ‘’At the farm level, the productivity gap is just as stark; the average milk yield of our indigenous cows is only 0.5 to 1.5 litres per day, compared to the global average of 6.6 litres. ‘’Furthermore, the country spends over $1.5 billion annually importing milk and dairy products, despite having millions of cattle and capable producers. This is a paradox that we must correct,’’ he promised. According to Alhaji Idi Mukhtar, the Ministry of Livestock Development was established to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s livestock value chains, reduce our dependence on imports, mitigate farmer-herder conflicts, and ensure nutrition and prosperity for our citizens. ‘’ Today, that vision is taking shape through investments such as the Arla Farm, as well as collaborations and reforms that are already yielding results,’’ he said.
