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Nigeria Has Over 20 Million Heads of Cattle but No Milk: Unpacking the Challenges

Writer's picture: CBiIL TeamCBiIL Team

The Jersey cows living on Nestlé Nigeria's demo farm located in  Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve, FCT.


With over 20 million heads of cattle, one might expect Nigeria to be a leading producer of fresh milk. However, the country relies heavily on imported powdered milk, while fresh raw milk remains scarce. Why? The reasons are deeply rooted in challenges like water scarcity, limited knowledge among herders, unsuitable cattle breeds, and the nomadic lifestyle of herders.


Challenges in Nigeria's Dairy Industry


  1. Scarcity of Water Sources Many cattle are reared in regions with limited water access. Herders spend hours searching for water, leaving their cattle stressed and less productive.


  2. Limited Knowledge Among Cattle Owners Herders often lack exposure to modern dairy practices, such as proper feeding, hygiene, and storage. This knowledge gap has long hindered milk production and preservation.


  3. Unsuitable Cow Breeds Nigeria’s indigenous cattle breeds are resilient but produce significantly less milk compared to high-yield dairy breeds like Holsteins or Jerseys.


  4. The Impact of Nomadic Movement Nomadic practices exacerbate these issues. Constant movement in search of grazing lands and water reduces cattle’s nutritional health and milk yield while making it difficult to establish infrastructure or organised dairy farming.



Why the Reliance on Powdered Milk?


A common question arises: “If Nigeria has so many cows, why has milk collection only recently become a focus? And why do yoghurt producers still rely on powdered milk?” Until now, the absence of milk collection and storage infrastructure meant raw milk spoiled quickly, making powdered milk a practical solution for processors.



The Paikon Kore Demo Farm: Transforming Nigeria’s Dairy Industry


Nestlé Nigeria, in partnership with CBi Innovations Ltd. (CBiIL), is tackling these challenges through the establishment of a demonstration farm at the Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve in Gwagwalada, FCT. This farm serves as a model for modern dairy farming and aims to revolutionise milk production in Nigeria.


Objectives of the Demo Farm


  • Boost Milk Production: Teach herders how to increase milk yields from 1 litre per cow daily to as much as 15 litres.


  • Promote Hygiene Practices: Demonstrate clean collection and proper milk storage methods, including cooling to 4°C within 2 hours of milking.


  • Introduce Breed Improvement: Advocate for crossing indigenous cattle with high-yield dairy breeds.


  • Promote Sustainability: Educate herders on herd health, efficient feeding, and water conservation practices.



Why Stakeholders Should Care


The Paikon Kore Demo Farm is not just a project, it’s a call to action for various stakeholders:


  • Policymakers: This initiative highlights the need for policies supporting local dairy development to reduce reliance on imports.


  • Cattle Owners: It offers a pathway to improved livelihoods through higher milk yields.


  • Investors: The farm showcases profitable opportunities in Nigeria’s growing dairy sector.


  • Milk Processors: This is a chance to integrate backward supply chains, ensuring consistent access to high-quality fresh milk.


  • The General Public: It signals progress toward food security, improved nutrition, and industrial growth.



A Call to Action


Nestlé Nigeria through CBi Innovations Ltd (CBiIL) are bridging the gaps in Nigeria's dairy sector through innovation, infrastructure, and knowledge-sharing. The Paikon Kore Demo Farm demonstrates what’s possible when all stakeholders work together to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s cattle population.

The future of Nigeria’s dairy industry is bright, but its success depends on your involvement today. Let’s build a sustainable and thriving dairy industry for the benefit of all.


For more information, call +234 901 625 3028, email us at info@cbiinnovations.com, or visit www.cbiinnovations.com/demo-farm-launch.


About Nestlé


Nestlé, the Good Food, Good Life company, enhances lives by providing nutritious food that respects the planet. With 270,000 employees, 2,000 brands, and operations in 188 countries, Nestlé is committed to a sustainable future.


About CBiIL


CBi Innovations Ltd. (CBiIL) has chosen to scale up innovations in the grains, dairy and Information and Advisory Services Markets where the largest outreach and income increases were recorded during the BIF project.

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