L&Z Integrated Farms unveils smart agriculture to boost dairy production

NIGERIA – L&Z Integrated Farms, in partnership with the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN) and the German development agency, GIZ, has unveiled a climate-smart agriculture to boost food security and promote sustainable dairy production in Kano State.

Founder and Managing Director of L&Z Integrated Farms, Muhammadu Damakka Abubakar, disclosed this while speaking on the sidelines of a training programme under the Green Harvest Initiative—an intervention designed to promote sustainable farming practices, improve livestock productivity and reduce herder migration.

Abubakar said the initiative goes beyond classroom instruction, noting that it includes the establishment of climate-smart demonstration farms where beneficiaries will receive hands-on training in fodder cultivation and livestock feeding.

“The training is just one component of the project. We also have enhanced climate-smart demonstration farms where beneficiaries will be taught how to cultivate drought-resistant fodder in their backyards and communities for feeding their animals and for commercial purposes,” he said.

He explained that poor access to feed, water and basic social amenities accounts for about 90 per cent of the challenges confronting Nigeria’s local dairy industry, adding that the project seeks to address these gaps through sustainable solutions.

According to him, participants will be trained in climate-friendly fodder production, compost management, use of biodigesters and reduced reliance on inorganic fertilisers to minimise environmental degradation and carbon emissions.

Abubakar said the initiative will also focus on cooperative business management to encourage herders and smallholder farmers to adopt agribusiness models rather than rely solely on traditional livestock rearing practices.

“When animals have good feed, productivity increases, health challenges reduce and farmers can generate more milk and beef. With a business mindset, this translates into economic empowerment and sustainability,” he added.

He disclosed that the project will begin with a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programme, under which selected participants will subsequently train others at the grassroots level.

Nigeria aims to double milk production by 2030

The smart agriculture initiative follows the Ministry of Livestock Development’s plan to double annual milk production from 700,000 metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes by 2030, marking a significant step toward self-sufficiency in dairy production.

The announcement was made by Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, during the World Milk Day 2025 celebrations in Abuja, where he emphasised the country’s commitment to transforming its dairy sector.

To achieve this, Nigeria has launched the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Program (NL-GAS), which focuses on six key areas: nutrition improvement, value chain transformation, genetic upgrades, animal health, youth and women empowerment, and financing access.

The government has also established the National Council for the Development of Livestock, bringing together state governments, private companies, technical partners, and pastoralist communities to create a roadmap for sustainable growth in the dairy sector.

Subscribe to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa, Middle East and around the world. SUBSCRIBE HERE