FG Trains 100 Dairy Farmers, Reaffirms Commitment to Sector Growth

News in brief:

-Nigeria's livestock ministry trained 100 small-scale dairy farmers in Oyo State on improved dairy production and management practices.

-The initiative aligns with the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy aimed at boosting local milk production and reducing import dependence.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s dairy sector through strategic grassroots capacity development following the training of 100 small-scale dairy farmers in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The training programme focused on equipping participants with practical knowledge on dairy farming best practices, improved husbandry techniques, and sustainable approaches to milk production, collection, and processing.

FG Targets Stronger Dairy Value Chain

Speaking during the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Ajimobi, described the initiative as timely and critical to strengthening the capacity of dairy farmers and advancing national dairy production.

According to him, sustainable transformation within the livestock sector must begin with empowering farmers at the grassroots level.

“As we continue to push for self-sufficiency in livestock production, initiatives like this remind us that real transformation begins with empowering farmers at the grassroots,” he stated.

Ajimobi added that the training would help improve productivity, ensure quality standards, and support the development of a sustainable dairy value chain capable of benefiting both rural communities and the broader economy.

Ministry Pushes Dairy Self-Sufficiency Agenda

The Presidential adviser reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to unlocking the economic potential of the livestock sector through targeted policies, strategic partnerships, and impactful development programmes.

Participants were also encouraged to apply the knowledge gained and serve as advocates of improved dairy practices within their respective communities.

Smallholder Farmers Critical to Sector Growth

Florence Kalulu, the Oyo State Coordinator of the federal ministry, stressed the importance of small-scale dairy farmers to Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.

According to her, smallholder dairy farmers remain central to local milk production and rural economic development across the country.

Kalulu highlighted several challenges affecting the sector, including low productivity, weak animal health management systems, poor hygiene practices, and limited access to modern dairy techniques.

She explained that addressing these constraints is necessary to improve the quality, safety, and profitability of dairy production nationwide.

The training programme forms part of the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), which aims to improve productivity, enhance farmers’ livelihoods, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on dairy imports, and strengthen food and nutrition security.

Kalulu noted that the programme goes beyond knowledge transfer and is expected to drive long-term transformation within rural dairy communities.

Participants Receive Practical Dairy Training

The training covered critical areas such as sustainable feed supply through improved pasture development and feed conservation, breed improvement, feeding practices for milking cows, herd health management, and opportunities in milk collection and handling.

In her remarks, the President of the Women in Dairy Production Association (WIDPA), Racheal Eyitayo-Ariori, commended the Federal Government for prioritising dairy sector development and called for greater inclusion of women in dairy production activities.

She stated that supporting small-scale dairy farmers would significantly increase milk production while delivering broader economic benefits to rural communities.

Youth Participation Required

One of the participants, Moyosore Olatunde, expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria’s dairy industry and called for increased youth participation in the sector.

According to him, greater government support would encourage more young people to embrace dairy farming and introduce innovative ideas capable of modernising the industry.