Nigeria strengthens dairy industry ties with Denmark

NIGERIA – Nigeria has intensified its partnership with Denmark to bolster its dairy value chain, aiming to enhance local production and reduce reliance on imports. 

The collaboration focuses on capacity building, knowledge sharing, and investment to create a sustainable dairy industry, addressing Nigeria’s US$1.3 billion annual dairy import bill.

A high-level Nigerian delegation, led by Idi Mukthar Maiha, the Minister of Livestock, alongside Kaduna State’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, recently visited Denmark. 

The trip, facilitated by the Danish Embassy and Arla Foods, included technical tours of advanced dairy facilities and meetings with Denmark’s Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries. 

These engagements aimed to transfer expertise and foster innovation in Nigeria’s dairy sector. 

“This partnership is a milestone in our efforts to build a robust dairy industry,” Maiha stated during the visit, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation.

Peder Pedersen, Managing Director of Arla Foods Nigeria, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s dairy goals. 

“We are dedicated to strengthening the value chain through knowledge transfer and local investment,” Pedersen said, noting Arla’s role in facilitating the mission. 

The collaboration builds on long-standing agricultural ties between the two nations, with Denmark being a major source of Nigeria’s dairy imports.

Nigeria’s dairy sector faces challenges, including low milk yields from local breeds and inadequate processing infrastructure. 

The partnership seeks to address these through training programs and technology transfers. Previously, Arla has collaborated with Nigeria to improve milk production techniques, drawing on Denmark’s cooperative farming model. 

A 2019 initiative in Kaduna, supported by Denmark, established a cattle farm to supply local milk companies, creating jobs and cutting import costs.

The Federal Executive Council’s National Dairy Policy, approved in 2023, guides these efforts, promoting sustainable practices and infrastructure development. 

The government has also invested in milk collection centers and pasture development to boost production. 

These initiatives align with Nigeria’s broader goal of economic diversification, which involves reducing dependence on oil by strengthening the agricultural sector.

The Denmark-Nigeria partnership is expected to drive innovation and attract further investment, potentially transforming Nigeria’s dairy industry. 

With a growing population and rising dairy demand, officials are optimistic about achieving self-sufficiency. 

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