Kaduna's Dairy Expansion: Arla Foods Partners in €10 Million Project

Kaduna State, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, has initiated a significant dairy project with the establishment of a €10 million dairy farm in Damau, Kubau Local Government Area. The project is in partnership with Arla Foods, a leading global dairy company, and aims to produce between four and five million kilograms of milk annually at full capacity.

Governor Sani highlighted that this project is part of a larger initiative to modernize agriculture in Kaduna, transitioning it from subsistence to a structured economic driver. The Damau Milk Farm Project, supported by multiple stakeholders, is set to enhance the dairy value chain in Nigeria, positioning Kaduna as a leader in the sector.

At the project's unveiling, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, emphasized Nigeria's current challenges in dairy production, noting the country's low annual milk production of 0.7 million liters in comparison to the national demand. He pointed out the disparity between local milk production and global averages, aiming to reduce the country's dependency on dairy imports.

The Kaduna State government, in collaboration with development partners, has been actively supporting 1,000 households with resources such as improved cows, pasture, and veterinary services. Arla Foods is committed to purchasing milk from these local farms, ensuring a market for the milk produced.

The broader agricultural policy in Kaduna also includes the establishment of a yoghurt factory and the Nigeria Dairy Centre of Excellence, which will provide training in modern dairy management. These initiatives are part of the state's strategy to boost agriculture as a central economic activity, further evidenced by a significant increase in the agricultural budget allocation from N1.48 billion in 2023 to N74 billion in 2025.