In commemoration of the 2023 World Milk Day, the Federal Government, on Tuesday, announced that it had constructed and equipped 13 milk collection centres in seven states, adding that the facilities would be handed over to milk processors.
It disclosed this through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at a press briefing in Abuja to commemorate the event jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria, and Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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Speaking at the briefing, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mahmood Abubakar, said the United Nations had set aside the 1st of June of every year as World Milk Day.
He said this year’s theme, “Sustainable Dairy: Good for Planet, Good for You,” focused on the need for deliberate efforts to make milk production, collection and processing climate smart.
Abubakar said the FMARD would use the opportunity of the event to showcase its achievements in milk production, collection, processing and transportation, as well as enlighten Nigerians on achievements of national programmes on pasture development, animal feed and feed security, breeding and conservation, dairy development, etc, under the National Livestock Transformation Plan.
Outlining some of the achievements, the minister stated that they include, “capacity building and empowerment programmes for dairy farmers on hygienic milk production and processing in Bauchi and Plateau states.
“Construction and equipping of 13 milk collection centres, two each in Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, Niger and Plateau states. These milk collection centres are awaiting handing over to milk processors.
“Capacity building on pasture production, processing and conservation in two locations each in Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states. Procurement of six pasture transportation equipment and six grass choppers for two locations each in Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states.”
He said others include the establishment of 90 hectares commercial pasture plots (15 hectares each), and 12 hectares pilot homestead pasture plots (two hectares each) in Adamawa, Bauchi, Kwara, Kaduna, Gombe and Niger states, among many other achievements.
Abubakar stated that in furtherance of the above and other achievements, the FMARD would continue to collaborate with relevant organisations, institutions and associations in addressing the nutritional needs of Nigerians through milk and dairy development.
On his part, the President, ACCI, Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, stated that through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s backward integration, the dairy sector was revitalised and had attracted foreign investment, with the creation of ranches across the country.
“This celebration will be a two-day event with the first day, May 31, 2023, playing host to over 20 selected public and private schools, and the second day will be the conference for stakeholders in the dairy industry, while the exhibition will run throughout the event at the Abuja Trade and Convention Centre of ACCI,” he stated.
He said the chamber served as a voice for the business community, providing a platform for policy makers and the organised private sector to interface and map out practicable ways to implement policies.
“We enjoin all stakeholders in the dairy sector to take advantage of this event and come together to make it worthwhile. The success of this event will help us build a stronger relationship for the future,” the ACCI president stated.
