Kano Visit Day Three: FG Eyes Scalable Dairy Models Across Nigeria

The Federal Government is stepping up efforts to transform Nigeria's dairy industry by identifying and scaling proven models that strengthen livestock genetics, expand milk collection, improve pasture development and harness technology to boost productivity across the dairy value chain.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this on the third day of his working visit to Kano State during visits to the L&Z Integrated Farms Milk Collection Centre (MCC) in Kadawa, Kura Local Government Area, and the Kadawa Artificial Insemination and Genetics Centre in Garum Malam Local Government Area, where he inspected ongoing investments aimed at increasing domestic milk production, improving cattle breeds and strengthening livestock extension services.

The Minister said Nigeria's dairy transformation would be driven by stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, development partners and livestock producers, noting that scalable innovations capable of delivering measurable impact must form the foundation of the country's livestock development agenda.

At the L&Z Integrated Farms MCC, Mukhtar commended the company's sustained investment in milk aggregation, farmer development, cold-chain infrastructure and irrigated pasture production, describing private sector participation as indispensable to achieving the Federal Government's objective of increasing domestic milk production and reducing dependence on imported dairy products.

He particularly lauded the company's decision to establish a comprehensive digital database of dairy farmers, describing reliable data as the cornerstone of evidence-based planning and effective service delivery across the livestock sector.

"Data is fundamental to livestock development. It enables government and investors alike to understand farmers' needs, design targeted interventions and measure impact. This is exactly the direction the sector should be taking," he stated. 

A major highlight of the visit was the commissioning of the upgraded L&Z MCC in Kadawa, whose milk handling capacity has doubled from 10,000 litres to 20,000 litres. The Minister described the expansion as a significant milestone in Nigeria's drive to strengthen milk collection, minimise post-harvest losses, improve quality assurance and create a more efficient cold-chain system linking pastoral communities to processors.

Earlier, the management of L&Z Integrated Farms led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Muhammadu Damakka Abubakar, disclosed that, the company's operations span the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the dairy value chain, which covers its operations from milk aggregation and farmer support to processing, value addition and marketing. 

The company also disclosed that it has established nine solar-powered MCCs across Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States, serving more than 4,000 smallholder dairy farmers organised into 53 cooperatives across over 850 settlements. 

According to the management, the centres have significantly reduced post-harvest milk losses through modern chilling facilities while improving farmers' access to markets, financial services, livestock feed, potable water and other essential services. 

"Our major focus is to ensure the sustainability of the dairy industry by developing smallholder farmers, who remain the nucleus of dairy production in Nigeria," the Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Adelaja Ayo stated, adding that the company plans to onboard an additional 3,000 farmers before the end of 2026.

During a guided tour of its facilities officials of the farm demonstrated modern milk preservation systems designed to maintain quality and food safety before transportation for processing. The Minister also inspected irrigated pasture development projects established to guarantee year-round availability of quality livestock feed, as sustainable fodder production remains essential to improving dairy productivity, reducing seasonal feed shortages and enhancing livestock resilience. 

From Kadawa, the Minister proceeded to the Artificial Insemination and Genetics Centre, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government's determination to accelerate Nigeria's livestock genetic improvement programme as a critical strategy for increasing milk yield, improving meat production and enhancing the competitiveness of indigenous livestock breeds.

During an inspection of the facility, Maiha observed semen collection, evaluation, preservation and artificial insemination procedures and commended the Kano State Government for upgrading the institution into a modern livestock genetics facility.

He, however, stressed that the institution's mandate must extend beyond artificial insemination to encompass comprehensive genetic improvement, breeding research and innovation.

"This centre has enormous potential. We must begin to operate it commercially through carefully structured Public-Private Partnerships. It is not just an artificial insemination centre; it is a genetics centre. Artificial insemination is only one of the services it provides. The focus must be on genetic improvement, research, breeding and supporting the transformation of Nigeria's livestock industry," Mukhtar stated. 

He also stressed the need for stricter biosecurity measures, improved breeding bull management and expanded pasture development to maximise the centre's productivity while safeguarding valuable genetic resources. He also encouraged the introduction of additional high-performing cattle breeds adapted to local production systems alongside sustained efforts to improve indigenous breeds.

The Minister also visited the Kano Livestock Service Centre in Bagauda, where he inspected ongoing livestock development interventions aimed at strengthening animal production, improving livestock infrastructure and enhancing service delivery, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda for food security, economic diversification and sustainable livelihoods.

Henrietta Okokon
Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations 
6th July, 2026