FG raises concern on consumption of low milk in Nigeria, provides statistics

• Nigeria's debased beverage depletion and dense reliance connected imports person raised concerns, with lone 35 percent of nationalist request met done section production
• Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stressed the economical and nutritional interaction of this shortage during the 2025 World Milk Day celebrations successful Abuja
• He urged strategical concern successful dairy infrastructure, improved cattle breeding, and smallholder husbandman enactment to boost home beverage accumulation and trim dependency connected imports

The Federal Government has expressed interest implicit Nigeria’s debased beverage consumption, highlighting its economical and wellness implications.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made this known connected Saturday, May 21, during the events marking the 2025 World Milk Day successful Abuja, according to Dailytrust.

FG Raises Concern connected Consumption of Low Milk successful Nigeria, Provides Statistics. Photo credit: officalABAT/X
Source: Facebook

World Milk Day, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations successful 2001, is celebrated annually connected June 1st.

The observance aims to recognise the value of beverage arsenic a planetary nutrient root and underscore the dairy sector’s contributions to sustainable agriculture, economical development, and planetary health.

Nigeria’s beverage accumulation shortage and economical impact

Maiha revealed that Nigeria consumes astir 1.7 cardinal metric tonnes of beverage annually, yet section accumulation covers lone 35 percent of nationalist demand, equating to astir 600,000 metric tonnes.

“The remaining 65 percent, worthy implicit $1.5 billion, is imported, chiefly successful powdered form. This dependence weakens our economy, drains overseas reserves, and limits section manufacture growth,” the curate said.

The curate further described Nigeria’s beverage depletion complaint arsenic worrisome.

He cited World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, which suggest an yearly intake of 10 litres per person, portion Nigeria’s mean stands astatine a specified 8.7 litres—significantly beneath Africa’s mean of 40 litres.

Challenges with indigenous cattle breeds

Maiha emphasised the challenges posed by Nigeria’s indigenous cattle breeds, which are predominantly managed by pastoralists.

These breeds output lone 1-2 litres of beverage per day, successful stark opposition to purebred oregon exotic breeds similar Friesians and Jerseys, which can nutrient 20-30 litres regular nether due management.

Lessons from starring beverage producers

Comparing Nigeria’s concern to planetary examples, the curate highlighted India’s occurrence successful dairy production, achieving implicit 200 cardinal tonnes annually done investments successful carnal wellness and breeding technologies.

He besides noted South Africa’s capableness to process implicit 3 cardinal litres of beverage annually.

“India, the world’s largest beverage producer, has achieved much than 200 cardinal tonnes annually chiefly from smallholder farmers done investments successful carnal wellness and breeding technologies. And person home, South Africa processes implicit 3 cardinal litres of beverage annually. These are examples Nigeria tin emulate with absorption and commitment,” helium added.

Path guardant for Nigeria’s dairy sector

Experts reason that prioritising improved cattle breeding, concern successful dairy infrastructure, and enactment for smallholder farmers volition beryllium important for Nigeria to span the spread successful beverage accumulation and consumption. The government’s renewed committedness to enhancing the dairy assemblage could pb to important economical benefits and improved nutrition nationwide.

This year’s World Milk Day celebrations reinforced the urgent request for strategical concern and argumentation reforms to revitalise Nigeria’s dairy industry, ensuring that section accumulation meets increasing nationalist demand.

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Source: Legit.ng