Current state of Nigeria’s dairy industry and the way forward

The dairy industry is a crucial segment of Nigeria’s food sector, providing millions of jobs. However, there is a significant gap between Nigeria’s milk market and the global market.

Current Production and Consumption

Local milk production in Nigeria is less than 1% of the total annual demand of 1.45 billion liters. This results in a per capita milk consumption of less than 10 liters per year, compared to the global average of about 44 liters per person. In Africa, other countries average about 28 liters per person annually.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an adult consumes about 210 liters of milk annually to meet the body’s micronutrient needs.

Nigeria has approximately 20.6 million head of cattle, with 90% managed by indigenous pastoralists. Despite having over 415 grazing reserves, these are underdeveloped.

The country spends about $1.7 billion annually on importing milk and dairy products, with local production at only about 2 million liters annually, which is inadequate for Nigeria’s large population.

Several factors contribute to Nigeria’s low milk production rate:

1. Low-Yielding Cows: The predominant cattle breeds in Nigeria are primarily beef types that produce about 1 liter of milk daily. Cross-breeding local breeds with high-yield dairy breeds could significantly enhance milk production.

2. Pastoralist Practices: Indigenous pastoralists, who own about 90% of the cattle, often migrate in search of water and food, making consistent milk production challenging. Only a small percentage of milk reaches processors due to this nomadic lifestyle.

3. Lack of Facilities: There is a lack of necessary facilities for optimal milk production. High production costs have forced many commercial farms to shut down, as they cannot survive the rising expenses in production, processing, and distribution.

4. Low Production Capacity: Commercial farms, which produce about 10% of the milk, often process it into other dairy products like yogurt, cream, and cheese, rather than supplying it to processors.

5. Other Challenges: Insecurity, inflation, and inadequate power supply further hinder the dairy industry’s growth.

The Way Forward

As we commemorate World Milk Day, it is crucial to focus on improving Nigeria’s dairy industry. Here are some recommendations:

1. Invest in Local Production: Stakeholders should invest in local milk production to reduce reliance on imported milk powder, which contains fewer essential nutrients compared to fresh milk.

2. Develop Grazing Reserves: Enhancing the infrastructure of grazing reserves can support better milk production practices among pastoralists.

3. Promote Cross-Breeding: Implementing cross-breeding programs with high-yield dairy breeds can increase milk production capacity.

4. Support Commercial Farms: Providing subsidies and support for commercial dairy farms can help them withstand production costs and expand their capacity.

5. Improve Infrastructure: Addressing issues like power supply and security can create a more conducive environment for dairy farming.

By addressing these challenges and implementing strategic investments, Nigeria can boost its dairy production, ensuring better nutrition for its population and reducing dependency on imports.