Maiha calls for regional collaboration on milk production

NIGERIA – Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has called for greater collaboration and investment in modern dairy production systems to boost self-sufficiency in West Africa.

The minister, who was in Abidjan for the handover ceremony of the outgoing President of the African Development Bank, stated this during a visit to the DJERA Production SARL, a modern dairy farm located

The facility, locally known as Djarema Farm, is one of Côte d’Ivoire’s leading privately owned dairy enterprises.

During the visit, Maiha engaged with producers, exchanging ideas and strategies aimed at advancing sustainable dairy production.

The minister emphasized the importance of regional partnerships, urging governments, private investors, and development institutions to work together in scaling up dairy infrastructure.

He also highlighted the African Development Bank’s role in financing agricultural transformation, referencing its support for agro-industrial clusters and rural development projects across Côte d’Ivoire.

Data show that Côte d’Ivoire produces just 34,109 tonnes equivalent milk (TSEL) annually, meeting only 19% of its domestic demand of 178,302 TSEL. The remaining 81% is covered through imports at a cost of about 43.34 billion FCFA (USD $75 million) each year.

The news comes as Nigeria’s dairy industry, crucial to the country’s agricultural sector, is poised for growth with increased investments and government backing, despite current challenges in meeting rising milk and dairy product demand.

With a current population of over 227.9 million, projected to swell to 401.31 million by 2050, the need for dairy is expected to rise significantly. Yet, the industry remains fragmented and unable to fully capitalize on this demand.

The Nigerian dairy sector is divided into three primary production systems. The pastoral system, operated mainly by Fulani herdsmen, contributes approximately 95% of the country’s raw milk. Despite its scale, this system faces challenges due to traditional practices and insufficient infrastructure.

In contrast, the commercial system, which includes established dairy farms with a mix of indigenous and crossbred cattle, produces only 5% of the milk. This commercial system is more structured but still unable to bridge the gap between production and demand.

Currently, Nigeria’s dairy farms produce around 600,000 liters of milk annually, falling far short of the estimated 1.6 million tonnes required to meet domestic demand.

This shortfall results in Nigeria spending about US$1.5 billion annually on dairy imports, with around 70% of the demand being met through imported milk powder. Despite efforts by multinational corporations and local processors to boost production, the industry continues to face stagnant growth.

The formal dairy market in Nigeria is dominated by multinational companies such as Friesland Campina WAMCO and Arla, which largely rely on imported milk.

These companies have made some progress, with FCW being the only multinational currently sourcing raw milk locally. Meanwhile, indigenous processors like Integrated Dairy Limited and L&Z Integrated Farms are also making contributions, though their impact remains limited.

Infrastructure issues further exacerbate the problem. Poor roads in rural areas hinder farmers from transporting their products to market, resulting in significant losses.

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