By Samuel
The Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) is set to reinforce investment in the local dairy industry in order to curb milk importation, Coordinator of the project, Malam Ibrahim Muhammad has revealed.
According to Muhammad, the growth of the indigenous milk industry was tantamount to economic development, as a lot of money was expended on milk importation.
He made this disclosure when he received in audience the State Coordinator, Raw Materials Research and Development Council of Nigeria, RMRDC, Malam Hambali Muhammad at the project office in Kano.
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Muhammad who said that the importation of processed milk into the country was economically harmful, assured that the project will partner with research institutions to elevate local milk production.
“Nigeria spends between $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion on milk and other dairy products importation annually, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria
“The gap between supply and demand for dairy products is widening in Nigeria. Yet we have the potential to produce enough milk that will serve our population and even export to other countries, if we invest appropriately
“So under this project, we are approaching the issue from different angles. We are constructing 200 milk collection centers to supply the high quality, safe and adequate raw milk required by dairy processing firms and indeed, the general public,” he said.
Muhammad also disclosed that the scheme will also train herdsmen and milk vendors on hygiene and best practices on milk production and processing in a bid to add value to their products.
He listed the project’s area of focus to include among others, insemination of cows and small ruminants fattening, improvement in the quality and quantity of milk, meat and leather production in the state.
The Project Coordinator also noted that large and community scale fodder production that will help prevent herdsmen from migrating in search for pasture also made the list
State Coordinator, Raw Materials Research and Development Council of Nigeria (RMRDC), Malam Hambali Muhammad assured that Council was ready to collaborate with the project on its goals.
“Our organization is charged with the mandate to promote the development and utilization of Nigeria’s industrial raw materials. We want to see how we can work together to help the project grow,” he said.