…Continues Implementation of Successful Dairy Models Adapted from New Zealand, Morocco

 

…Gombe L-PRES Engages Leading Dairy Farms to Strengthen Milk Production, Build Sustainable Dairy Value Chain

 

The Gombe State Government has introduced a strategic public–private partnership framework aimed at strengthening the state’s dairy industry by improving milk production, collection, and processing as part of deliberate preparations to establish a dairy processing factory and build a sustainable dairy value chain.

 

As part of this effort, the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project convened a high-level engagement with leading dairy farm owners in the state to formalise their participation within the dairy value chain and establish a collaborative framework for the development and expansion of the dairy sector in Gombe State.

 

Speaking during the engagement, the State Project Coordinator of Gombe L-PRES, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, stressed the critical role of the private sector in the ongoing transformation of the livestock industry in Gombe State, particularly in the dairy sub-sector.

He explained that the dairy farms are expected to play a strategic role as primary suppliers of quality raw milk to the proposed milk processing facilities that will soon be established across the state.

 

He noted that through the project, dairy farmers will receive technical assistance and production inputs designed to improve herd productivity, strengthen farm management practices, and reduce production losses.

 

Prof. Abubakar added that while established dairy farms will serve as anchor suppliers within the value chain. “Smallholder dairy farmers across the state will also benefit from similar interventions, ensuring an inclusive and sustainable dairy ecosystem”, he noted.

 

The State Project Coordinator also highlighted the strong commitment of the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON to transforming the livestock and dairy sector.

He explained that the Governor has continued to expose key stakeholders to global best practices in dairy development and livestock management.

 

According to him, the Governor recently led delegations to Morocco and New Zealand, where government officials and stakeholders studied advanced dairy production technologies, pasture management systems, milk processing infrastructure, and cooperative dairy farm management models.

 

“These study visits were undertaken to learn practical and modern approaches that can be adapted to modernise the dairy industry in Gombe State,” Prof. Abubakar said, noting that the focus has now shifted toward implementing those lessons through strategic investments and partnerships.

 

Prof. U. B. Abubakar also highlighted several ongoing and planned investments under the L-PRES project and the state government aimed at strengthening livestock production and dairy development.

Among the major initiatives is the establishment of the Gombe Agro-Livestock Development Zone, which includes an ultra-modern abattoir, an international livestock market, a tannery, a modern veterinary hospital, and beef fattening hubs, among others.

 

He further revealed that plans are underway to establish 22 milk collection centres across major dairy clusters in the state to improve milk aggregation, marketing systems, and value addition.

 

These investments, he said, will significantly enhance livestock marketing, veterinary services, and dairy production, positioning Gombe State as a leading hub for livestock and dairy development in Nigeria.

 

The State Project Coordinator encouraged dairy farm owners to strengthen their operations in preparation for the upcoming support programmes under the L-PRES project.

 

He advised them to increase their herd sizes, particularly through the acquisition of improved dairy heifers, maintain proper farm records to enhance productivity tracking, develop sustainable pasture and fodder systems, and strengthen farm management structures and biosecurity practices.

In their responses, the dairy farm owners commended the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, and the L-PRES project for the initiative and for creating a platform that brings together key stakeholders in the dairy sector.

 

They acknowledged several interventions previously provided by the project, including artificial insemination services, pasture and fodder development support, and capacity-building programmes.

The farmers, however, noted persistent challenges affecting the sector, including low milk productivity, limited access to reliable markets for fresh milk, high production costs, and limited access to improved livestock genetics.

 

They expressed optimism that the planned milk processing facilities and milk collection infrastructure would help address these challenges and strengthen dairy production in the state.

 

The participants also pledged their commitment to partnering with the L-PRES project by improving their farm structures, adopting modern dairy management practices, and increasing milk production to support the growth of the dairy industry in Gombe State.

 

As part of the outcomes of the meeting, a four-member technical committee drawn from L-PRES staff was constituted to conduct onsite verification and assessment of the established dairy farms across the state.