The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, on Thursday, 6th February 2025, inaugurated the Nestlé Nigeria Demonstration Dairy Farm at the Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
This initiative is part of Nestlé Nigeria’s Livestock Development Project, a commitment to strengthening the local dairy industry and improving the livelihoods of milk producers.
Speaking at the event, the Minister commended Nestlé Nigeria and its partners 2Scale, CBI Innovations Limited, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration for their collaboration in driving progress in the dairy sector.
”First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nestlé Nigeria for this remarkable initiative. The establishment of this model dairy farm demonstrates Nestlé’s unwavering commitment to backward integration, fostering local agriculture, supporting Nigerian farmers, and contributing to the sustainable development goals.
”As we all know, the dairy sector holds immense potential for Nigeria. As the federal government works tirelessly to diversify our economy, we recognise the critical role livestock production plays in creating jobs, generating income, and improving nutrition for our people.
“Furthermore, Nestlé’s investment aligns seamlessly with our national agenda for livestock development. The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is fully committed to creating an enabling environment for investments like this to thrive,” Maiha stated.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting such initiatives through policies that improve infrastructure, access to finance, and veterinary services.
“We are focused on addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, and the need for enhanced veterinary services. Through partnerships with the private sector and international development agencies, we aim to ensure the livestock subsector realizes its full potential,” he added.
During a tour of the facility, the Minister acknowledged the modern infrastructure in place, including semi-automated milking systems, sustainable waste management practices, and improved animal feed.
Over the past year and eight months, the animal population on the farm has grown from 20 to 71, with artificial insemination playing a key role in breed improvement.
The project’s ambition is to aggregate 30, 000 litres of milk per day by November 2027 by improving local breeds and applying best dairy farming practices
