Nestlé Invests ₦1.8 Billion in Dairy Development in 6 Years

Nestlé Nigeria has invested over ₦1.8 billion in the dairy development in the country over the last six years.

Restating its commitment to the growth of the industry, it recently unveiled a state-of-the-art dairy demonstration farm in Paikon Kore, a significant advancement in its commitment to bolstering the local dairy sector through the Nestlé Nigeria Livestock Development Project (NLDP), which was launched in 2021. The NLDP focuses on three key pillars: Better Milk, Better Feed (fodder), and Resilient Communities, and is supported by the Federal Capital Territory Administration in partnership with CBI Innovations Limited (CBiIL) and 2Scale.

The newly established Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm aims to enhance the success of the NLDP by serving as a model for implementing best practices in dairy farming. It intends to demonstrate how local cattle breeds can increase their average yield from just 1 liter per cow per day to over 10 liters through effective breeding programs. Additionally, the farm will illustrate best practices in maintaining herd health, nutrition, and hydration, ultimately transforming local dairy production.

At the launch, Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria stated, “Since 2019, Nestlé Nigeria has invested over ₦1.8 billion to improve the livelihoods of pastoralists in and around the Paikon Kore and Kachia grazing reserve. We are pleased to report that participating milk producers have seen their household incomes rise from ₦70,000 in 2021 to ₦250,000 in 2024, thanks to increased productivity driven by improved dairy practices and infrastructure support within their communities.”

The impact of the NLDP is evident, with daily milk collection skyrocketing from an initial 200 liters in June 2021 to an average of 6,000 liters per day at the Milk Collection and Cooling Centre, totaling over 1 million liters of raw milk to date. This success story benefits around 3,000 milk producers who are part of 83 dairy cooperatives established under the NLDP.

Soji Apampa, CEO of CBI Innovations, shared his enthusiasm for the demonstration farm, stating, “This initiative is not just a project; it is a catalyst for positive change in sustainable farming practices that safeguard our environment, animal welfare, and community well-being. We aspire for this dairy farm to become a model of excellence and an inspiration for others in the industry, as we continue to innovate with a focus on quality, sustainability, and community.”

The Honorable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, remarked, “The establishment of this model dairy farm underscores Nestlé’s strong commitment to advancing our nation’s backward integration goals. By introducing modern farming techniques and supporting local dairy farmers, this project will enhance our domestic dairy supply and reduce reliance on imports, thus strengthening our economy. The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is fully devoted to fostering an enabling environment for such investments.”

Community leaders expressed their excitement about the farm’s potential. Sulaiman Ahmed, representing the Apex Union Leaders, said, “We are thrilled that this demonstration farm will not only raise awareness about dairy farming but also bring numerous benefits to our community. It will provide access to crossbreeds and serve as a training ground for modern dairy farming techniques, particularly in feeding practices. Furthermore, the farm will enhance our community’s visibility, attracting visitors and potential business partners.”

Nestlé’s Dairy Development Farm spans 4 hectares within the Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve and features cattle sheds, a calf pen, maternity and sick bays, a holding area, a dip-tank, automated milking systems, and a hay barn. It incorporates sustainable practices such as solar power and a biogas system for waste management. The farm will serve as a training facility for farmers involved in the NLDP as well as for a broad range of stakeholders, including practitioners, academia, and pastoralists.

This initiative is part of Nestlé’s Creating Shared Value (CSV) strategy, which aims to collaborate with stakeholders and partners to generate societal value while fostering business growth.