The Confederation of Traditional Stock Breeder Organizations in Africa CORET has emphasized that prioritizing milk production alone can significantly contribute to the growth of a thriving and sustainable dairy sector in Nigeria.
The Communication Officer of CORET, Aminu Sa’ad, stated this during a knowledge-sharing visit to the Arla-Dano farm site in Damau, Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The event marked the first Open Day organized at the site, aimed at promoting knowledge exchange in sustainable dairy practices.
The ten billion dollars investment farm is designed to showcase global best practices in animal welfare, milk hygiene, and environmentally responsible dairy farming.
Presently, producing over 1.5 tonnes of milk daily, the farm is expanding its herd and feed production capacity to meet rising demand.
The CORET Communication Officer, Aminu Sa’ad, who led a delegation including pastoralist cooperatives from Ladduga Grazing Reserve, Damau and Lumu, Kwasam, explained that the visit was organized to facilitate knowledge sharing.
“We aim to expose our members to best practices in animal welfare, milk hygiene, and eco-friendly dairy farming that can be adopted in their respective communities,” he said.
He stressed that milk production deserves greater attention from the government due to its significant economic value.
“CORET will continue to support such initiatives, as long as they contribute to improving milk production among pastoralists in Nigeria,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the representative of the National Commission for Nomadic Education, Abubakar Lawal Boro, commended CORET and the Milk Value Chain for their efforts in supporting pastoralist cooperatives, especially in Kaduna and Jigawa States.
He noted that the establishment of the Arla-Dano farm in Kaduna would encourage local cooperatives to strengthen their milk aggregation efforts.
The Senior Project Manager of Arla Foods, Dr. Snori while addressing visitors, described the Open Day as “a special occasion dedicated to sharing our knowledge and passion for sustainable dairy farming.”
Dr. Snori highlighted Nigeria’s natural agricultural potential, saying, “We have the land, the sun, the rain—Nigeria should be an exporting country for agricultural goods.”
He emphasized that the Arla-Dano Damau farm is the largest in Nigeria, and its goal is to inspire and empower stakeholders.
“By opening our gates, we hope to spark ideas, build connections, and contribute to a resilient, productive, and inclusive dairy sector,” he said.
Encouraging active participation, he concluded: “Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply curious, your engagement today is vital to shaping the future of dairy farming in Nigeria.”
COV: Adamu Yusuf
