European Union (EU) reaffirms its commitment to support dairy farmers

NIGERIA – The European Union (EU), a union of 27 European countries, has reiterated its commitment to supporting local dairy farmers in Nigeria by addressing key challenges that affect milk production.

The union stated that it aims to enhance milk production, improve storage infrastructure, and provide critical support to local farmers.

The EU outlined a series of initiatives designed to boost productivity and increase farmers’ income, recognising the challenges faced by dairy producers—including water shortages, high costs of vaccines and medicines, and limited access to quality cattle feed.

During a recent visit to Naturell Dairy, EU representatives engaged directly with farmers and industry stakeholders to assess the sector’s needs.

Inga Stefanowicz, Team Leader for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasised the importance of improving the entire dairy value chain, from milk production and collection to transportation, processing, and storage.

She noted that tailored support would help farmers overcome obstacles and ensure greater efficiency in dairy operations.

Stefanowicz said: “We are a donor organisation, providing funding for many initiatives in Nigeria. We recognise the importance and potential of agriculture in creating economic growth and jobs, but we also acknowledge the many challenges it faces.

“That’s why we want to support dairy producers, farmers who rear milk cows, and others in the dairy value chain to benefit everyone, increasing incomes, opportunities, and the health of the population.”

The EU’s intervention is expected to create new opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

By increasing milk supply to processors like Naturell Dairy, the initiative aims to expand local access to dairy products, stimulate business growth, and generate new income streams for rural communities.

Christian Idakwoji, Sales Manager at Naturell Dairy, highlighted the company’s commitment to sourcing milk directly from local farmers and providing training to improve milk handling and storage.

However, he acknowledged that transportation challenges, particularly the lack of cold storage infrastructure, continue to hinder efficiency.

The EU’s renewed commitment to Nigeria’s dairy sector underscores its broader strategy to support agricultural development and economic growth.

By addressing key production challenges and fostering collaboration between farmers, processors, and policymakers, the initiative aims to create a more sustainable and profitable dairy industry in Nigeria.

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