American Government is investing in dairy industry in Nigeria, trains stakeholders - News

23/February/2021

United States is supporting Ekiti State Government of Nigeria in dairy business with the first shipment of Jersey-breed cattle from the U.S.

Temitayo Famutimi, Information Specialist, Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, Nigeria made the announcement to The Guardian News.

The cattle shipment arrived Ikun Dairy Farm, which is a joint venture between Promasidor Nigeria Limited and the Ekiti State Government.

The farm is to produce 10,000 litres of milk daily and will take delivery of two additional shipments of dairy cattle from the United States over the next couple of weeks.

The shipments are to provide better breed of cattle for the rapidly growing Nigerian dairy industry and to diversify the country's economy.

Gerald Smith, Counselor for Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Mission to Nigeria, also disclosed that the successful cattle shipment was as a result of the strong partnership between the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, the Ikun Dairy Farm, and senior officials of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, with support from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Smith noted that introduction of U.S. dairy cattle would boost local milk production and contribute significantly to ensuring sustainable food security in Nigeria.

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, in partnership with Ekiti State Government and with the strong support of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has successfully started an integrated dairy industry in Nigeria with the acquisition of the first batch of pregnant Jersey breed dairy cows from the USA.

To further support the Nigerian dairy industry, Smith noted that the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Mission was designing a two-week training programme in the United States for diverse Nigerian dairy stakeholders.

The training programme holding later this year will introduce participants to the unique characteristics and genetic potential of U.S. dairy cattle.

---