The Federal Government of Nigeria is considering placing a ban on milk and other diary products importation into the country in a bid to encourage patronage and local production.
Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) made this known at the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja.
Emefiele said cattle reared by nomads are less productive and tends to eat edible plants on their paths, hence causing destruction of farm products, economic loss and clashes between local farmers and herdsmen.
NIRSAL, Banks Invest N4.5bn to Enhance Maize and Soybean Value Chain
The CBN Governor then urged stakeholders to partner with cattle-rearers especially in the area of capacity developments. He said with good pastoral management, clashes between farmers and herders can be stopped.
Mr. Emefiele shortly after the MPC meeting told the press; the importation of milk into the country costs between 1.2 and 1.5 billion dollars yearly. He announced the Government is in discussion with some milk processing firms so as to encourage them produce locally.
Early this year, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh announced the Federal Government has resolved to ban importation of tomato products by 2021.
