Arla Foods, Danish Consulate explore opportunities in Nigeria’s dairy sector

NIGERIA – Arla Foods, in partnership with the Danish Consulate and FC4S Lagos, hosted a high-level workshop aimed at addressing challenges in Nigeria’s dairy sector while exploring opportunities to improve nutrition.

The workshop brought together dairy farmers, nutrition experts, policymakers, representatives from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), food processors, and development organizations.

Discussions centered on strategies to tackle malnutrition and bolster the local dairy industry, which plays a crucial role in addressing the country’s nutritional needs.

Peder Pedersen, Managing Director of Arla Foods, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to combating malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Highlighting Arla’s efforts to integrate locally sourced Nigerian milk into its products, Pedersen stressed the need for collaboration to achieve sustainable progress.

“Our responsibility is to deliver good and healthy products to Nigerians,” he said.

“We are enhancing local production and making Nigerian milk a key part of our offerings. However, we cannot do this alone; for this to succeed, all stakeholders must collaborate with us.”

Pedersen also emphasized the importance of educating consumers about making informed nutritional choices, noting that raising awareness would play a pivotal role in driving demand for healthy dairy products.

Jette Bjerrum, the Consul General of Denmark in Lagos, spotlighted Denmark’s expertise in agriculture and its strategic interest in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

She called for concerted efforts to address challenges in nutrition and food safety along the dairy value chain, underscoring the critical role of partnerships in driving progress.

“Denmark has a long history of agricultural innovation, and we are eager to share our knowledge and expertise to support Nigeria’s development in this area,” Bjerrum stated.

The workshop marked the beginning of a multi-year initiative to improve Nigeria’s dairy value chain through enhanced cooperation and innovative approaches.

Participants agreed on the need to prioritize sustainable practices and policies to combat malnutrition and enhance food security across the country.

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