The United States Mission in Nigeria has partnered with Ikun Dairy Farm in Ekiti State to supply the farm with a better breed of cow from the US, growing the dairy industry and aiding in the diversification of the Nigerian economy.
Gerald Smith, counselor for agricultural affairs at the US Mission in Nigeria, expressed that the successful cattle shipment was due to a strong partnership between the mission’s Foreign Agricultural Service and Ikun Dairy Farm, with support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Central Bank of Nigeria.
In 2019, the Ekiti State government partnered with Promasidor Nigeria Limited, producer of Cowbell milk, to improve its backward integration activities in dairy production by tapping into Ikun Dairy Farm. Established about 40 years ago, the farm occupies roughly 1,000 hectares of land focused on dairy activities.
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Promasidor invested $5 million into the venture, which was dedicated to the purchase of equipment and improved breeds of cattle to produce a projected 10,000 liters of milk per day at full capacity.
Smith explained that Promasidor Nigeria Limited and its partners in the scheme have successfully started an integrated dairy industry in Nigeria with the acquisition of the first herd of pregnant Jersey cows from the US.
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He added that the introduction of US dairy cows would boost local milk production for the rapidly growing Nigerian dairy industry and contribute significantly to ensuring sustainable food security in Nigeria.
“A sustainable dairy industry requires modern genetic cows. This collaboration marks the start of increasing milk production and enhancing the dairy value chain in Nigeria,” Smith said.
