Nestlé Nigeria targets 30,000 Litres of daily milk production by 2027

NIGERIA – Nestlé Nigeria, in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, has announced a plan to increase daily milk production to 30,000 litres by November 2027.

This target is expected to be achieved through improved cattle breeding and the adoption of best dairy farming practices.

A report by Nestlé Nigeria revealed that the initiative is part of the Nestlé Livestock Development Project, which is built on three key pillars: Better Milk, Better Feed, and Resilient Communities. 

Speaking at the launch of the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm in Abuja, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Wassim Elhusseini, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to livestock development. 

According to him, the company has invested over N1.8 billion in the project and currently collects an average of 6,000 litres of fresh milk daily from 1,600 dairy households. 

The program aims to reach 30,000 litres per day by November 2027.

Elhusseini emphasized the project’s positive impact, stating, “With the strong support and collaboration of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the project has established 83 dairy cooperatives, benefiting 3,000 milk producers and aggregating over 1 million liters of raw milk, significantly increasing their monthly revenue.”

 He further noted that the initiative has led to notable improvements, including the vaccination of over 34,744 cattle, the construction of 19 boreholes and 28 water troughs in pastoralist communities, and a reduction in milk rejection rates from 12 percent in 2021 to 5 percent in 2024. 

As a result, milk producers’ monthly income has increased from N70,000 to N250,000.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Muktar Maiha, commended Nestlé Nigeria for its dedication to backward integration and sustainable agriculture. 

He described the demonstration farm as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to achieve food security, economic growth, and sustainable livestock development. 

According to him, the federal government remains committed to supporting the livestock sector as part of its broader strategy to diversify the economy. 

He highlighted livestock production as a crucial contributor to job creation, income generation, and dairy farming improvements.

Maiha also outlined the multiple benefits of the project, including increased productivity through climate-smart sustainable practices, capacity building for local farmers, and a reliable source of income for thousands of rural families through the milk collection center and hub in Pakonkore. 

He assured stakeholders of the ministry’s commitment to tackling key industry challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited financial access, and the need for enhanced veterinary services.

Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development at the FCTA, Lawan Geidam, also praised the initiative, emphasizing the transformative role of public-private partnerships. 

He stated that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to drive economic growth and national development.

Geidam further stressed the livestock sector’s economic significance, noting its contribution to employment creation and food security. 

He encouraged Nestlé to ensure that the demonstration farm serves as a model for best practices in dairy farming and offers training opportunities for pastoralists and smallholder farmers.

Elhusseini reiterated the project’s long-term vision, stating, “This demonstration farm is not just a symbolic launch. It is a practical model for implementing best dairy practices, showing how settled cattle breeding methods can significantly increase production by providing a safe environment for cattle and their owners.”