Nestlé Nigeria has unveiled a Dairy Demonstration Farm in Paikon Kore, reinforcing its commitment to boosting local dairy production under the Nestlé Nigeria Livestock Development Project (NLDP). This initiative, launched in 2021, focuses on Better Milk, Better Feed, and Resilient Communities and is supported by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, in collaboration with CBI Innovations Limited (CBiIL) and 2Scale.
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| L-R, Idris Ajimobi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Alhaji Mukhtar Idi Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, Wassim Elhusseini, MD/CEO Nestle Nigeria Plc and Olusoji Apampa, CEO CBI Innovation Limited (CBiIL) during the Nestle Nigeria Dairy Demonstration Farm launch in Abuja) for your use. |
The Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm aims to enhance local cattle productivity, increasing milk yields from an average of 1 liter per cow per day to over 10 liters through improved breeding, herd health, and nutrition. It will also serve as a training hub for modern dairy practices, benefiting farmers, industry practitioners, and researchers.
Significant Investments and Growth in Dairy Production
Speaking at the launch, Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, highlighted the company’s substantial investment in the sector:
"Since 2019, Nestlé Nigeria has invested over ₦1.8 billion in improving the livelihoods of pastoralists in and around the Paikon Kore and Kachia grazing reserve. We are happy to report that milk producers in this program have seen household incomes rise from ₦70,000 in 2021 to ₦250,000 in 2024. This increase is driven by enhanced dairy practices and community infrastructure development."
The daily milk collection under the NLDP program has surged from 200 liters in June 2021 to an average of 6,000 liters per day, aggregating over 1 million liters of raw milk to date. This growth has positively impacted 3,000 milk producers from 83 dairy cooperatives.
A Catalyst for Sustainable Dairy Farming
Mr. Soji Apampa, CEO of CBI Innovations, emphasized the farm’s role as a model for sustainable dairy production, stating:
“This demonstration farm is not just a project; it is a catalyst for positive change. It showcases sustainable farming practices that enhance environmental protection, animal welfare, and community well-being. We envision it as a model of excellence in the industry, inspiring others to adopt best practices.”
The Honorable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, applauded Nestlé for aligning with Nigeria’s backward integration agenda, reducing dairy imports, and strengthening the nation’s dairy industry.
“By introducing modern farming techniques and supporting local dairy farmers, this project will increase domestic dairy production and reduce reliance on imports, ultimately boosting Nigeria’s economy,” he stated.
Community Excitement and Sustainable Features
Local community leaders welcomed the project with enthusiasm. Sulaiman Ahmed, representing the Apex Union Leaders, noted:
“Beyond increasing awareness about dairy farming, this farm gives us access to crossbreeds and training on modern feeding methods. It will also create visibility for our community, attracting potential business partners.”
This initiative aligns with Nestlé’s Creating Shared Value (CSV) strategy, reinforcing its commitment to driving economic growth while supporting local communities. The Dairy Demonstration Farm will serve as a training facility for farmers, academia, and industry practitioners, further strengthening Nigeria’s dairy industry.
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