The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has inaugurated a milk collection centre with a 2,000-litre daily capacity at the Sawi Grazing Reserve in Adamami community, Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The facility, rehabilitated and equipped by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through its Livestock Directorate, will be managed by a private investor, L&Z Integrated Farms.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Director of Livestock Development in the ministry, Mr. Tagwi James, said the location was chosen because of the significant milk deposits available in the area.
James said the project was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to boost local milk production and reduce dependence on dairy imports.
He urged state governments to complement the Federal Government’s initiative by implementing livestock-related policies and programmes.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of L&Z Integrated Farms, Mr. Muhammad Damakka Abubakar, said Nigeria spends about 1.5 billion dollars annually on milk importation, a situation the government hopes to reverse through its new livestock policy and improved milk aggregation infrastructure.
Also speaking, Chairman of Shira Local Government Council, Alhaji Babangida Maliya, assured stakeholders of enhanced security and community engagement to ensure the facility’s success.
Maliya called on pastoralists to supply milk to the centre and urged parents in rural communities to prioritise education for their children, especially girls.
The District Head of Disina, Alhaji Abdullahi Mustapha, commended the Federal Government for the initiative, saying it would encourage pastoralists to settle in one location and enrol their children in school.
Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Shira LGA, Umar Muhammad Hassan, described the project as a welcome development for the Fulani community and pledged their commitment to supplying quality milk to the centre.
