Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria champions women empowerment

NIGERIA – The Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN) has called for increased support and empowerment for women dairy farmers nationwide.

The association said empowering women in the dairy value chain is crucial to boosting local milk production, improving nutrition, creating jobs and reducing dependence on imported dairy products.

The National President of CODARAN, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, said support for women dairy farmers would also enhance rural economic development, noting that women remained at the heart of Nigeria’s dairy economy.

According to him, women dairy farmers contribute significantly to milk production, household nutrition, family income and the sustainability of local dairy systems across rural communities.

He, however, noted that many of them continued to face challenges, including limited access to finance, markets, infrastructure, training and business opportunities.

Abubakar described World Milk Day as an important occasion for recognising the contribution of milk and the dairy sector to nutrition, livelihoods, employment generation and economic development.

He said the event also provided an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage Nigerians to make fresh milk a regular part of their diet.

“Fresh milk is a highly nutritious food rich in high-quality protein and containing all the essential amino acids required for growth, development and overall wellbeing.

“However, the increasing presence of low-cost milk substitutes and creamers marketed as milk products has created confusion among consumers and, in many cases, denied them the full nutritional benefits associated with genuine milk consumption.

The CODARAN president also called on dairy companies to scale up investments in backward integration, describing it as one of the most effective strategies for ensuring a stable and sustainable supply of raw milk nationwide.

He reaffirmed CODARAN’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s dairy sector through advocacy, stakeholder collaboration, business development, investment promotion and support for local milk production and aggregation systems.

He added that CODARAN’s milk collection centres in Niger and Jigawa states currently provide a ready market for about 500 women dairy farmers, who receive prompt payment for milk supplied.

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