PRESS RELEASE- NIGERIA ANNUAL MILK IMPORTS PRODUCTS IS CURRENTLY ESTIMATED AT $1.3 BILLION.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development kicks-off a 2day congress on the 4^th Global Dairy Congress Africa, with the theme “Accelerating Investment and Cooperation of Dairy in Africa”.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammed Bello Umar, who was represented by the Director, Department of Animal Husbandry Services, Mr. Bright Wategire, said that Nigeria’s annual imports of milk and other products is currently estimated at US $ 1.3 Billion.He disclosed this in Abuja.

Dr. Mohammed, said that the congress is an opportunity for the government and stakeholders to interact and explore business opportunities, discuss critical issues targeted at resolving the multi-faced problems bedeviling dairy sector and also improve on it for the progress of agricultural sector, adding that challenges facing Nigeria dairy sector borders mostly on infrastructure development, processing, dairy husbandry, quantity control, product development and industry.

      

The Permanent Secretary, stated that the theme of this year congress “Accelerating Investment and Cooperation of Dairy in Africa”align with the aspiration and agenda of the government of Nigeria to fill up the dairy sub-sector to a level where it will be a major Global player in the supply of wholesome dairy products for increase in employment generation, foreign exchange reliable means of livelihood for Nigerians.

Dr. Mohammed further disclosed that Nigeria cattle contribute a conservation estimate of 50,000 liters of milk daily both supply and consumption which is less than 20% of local potential, adding that Nigeria’s milk production accounts for only 13% of west Africa production and 0.01% of global dairy output. He further stated that Nigeria daily requirement is largely met by 60% imports and 40% local production,thatall stakeholders must collaborate to uplift Nigeria dairy sector in order to fight against malnutrition and achieve zero hunger in Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary said that Nigeria is in the process of evolving a national dairy policy that will articulate a clear road map for our developmental aspirations and strategies involving broad spectrum stakeholders and multinationals in order to improve our dairy sector.

Earlier, the Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry Services, Mr. Bright Wategire, who was represented by the Deputy Director in the Department, Mrs. Winnie Ifeoma Lai- Solarin,said the dairy industry is a dynamic industry with an ever increasing demand for milk products in which in Nigeria, it is dominated by pastoralists who are gradually moving away from subsistence level of production to embracing entrepreneurial ideals with emphasis on economic consideration.

He further stated that Nigerian livestock account for one third of our agricultural GDP, providing food, employment, farm, energy, manure and transport.Therefore, the congress with the above theme couldn’t have held at a more auspicious time than when Nigeria is having a renewed focus on Agriculture not only for food security but also as a major driver of our national economy.

While delivering his goodwill message the Vice President of Arla Global Dairy Products Mr. SteenHadsbjerg, said, if we have to achieve the United Nation global nutrition target of zero hunger and malnutrition by the year 2030 all stakeholders in Africa must currently come up with sustainable development plan.

Mr. Samuel O. Uzoegbu

For: Director (Information) FMARD.

July 4,2019.