The federal government has inaugurated the national dairy policy to catalyse development in the livestock and dairy sectors.

The policy, unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja by Vice President Kashim Shettima, aims to achieve sustainable national economy diversification, a key objective of its National Development Plan (2021–2025).

The document was designed to serve as a roadmap for energising the dairy industry over the coming years.

The policy results from several consultations and engagements with key stakeholders who shared the vision of Nigeria’s productive and globally competitive dairy sector.

At the document unveiling, Mr Shettima said the 2024 Milk Day theme, “Harnessing Nutrition and Investment Opportunities in a Sustainable Dairy Value Chain,” was particularly significant.

Represented by Kingsley Uzoma, his senior special assistant on agribusiness, he said that since its inception, the benefits of milk and dairy products have been actively promoted worldwide, highlighting how dairy supports the livelihoods of one billion people.

Mr Shettima said dairy farming presented significant opportunities for economic development and youth employment.

“However, these opportunities do not come without challenges,” he said. “Our livestock farmers often face issues such as inadequate animal feed, conflicts over grazing lands, and the adverse effects of climate change.”

He said the challenges were compounded by violent conflicts between farmers and cattle herders over land use.

”Recognising these challenges, the federal government is launching the National Dairy Policy with the objective of transforming the dairy industry in Nigeria,” said Mr Shettima.

The vice president said the policy would address key obstacles, such as the lack of modern global best practices for cross-breeding and calving, the high costs of mik, and poor transportation infrastructure.

“Currently, Nigeria spends $1.5 billion annually on importing dairy products due to a production deficit.

” Nigerians consume an average of 1.6 billion litres of milk and its products, but domestic production is insufficient to meet this demand.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is determined to achieve national production security, with the longer-term goal of eventually exporting dairy products to other African countries under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA),” he said.

He said implementing the policy would ensure improved dairy farming practices, increased investment in dairy processing and preservation, evidence-based policy implementation, and enhanced collaboration.

Mr Shettima said it would also enable ease of business for the dairy industry by fostering public-private partnerships, embracing technology and innovation, and empowering women-friendly and youth-centric business models.

“Its implementation will promote good animal health practices and monitor and evaluate progress,” he said.

In a remark, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, said the national dairy policy aligned with the federal government’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ to reposition the livestock sector.

He said the document would create an enabling and supportive environment for growth in the dairy sector.

(NAN)