By Abbas Nazil
Nestlé Nigeria has invested over N1.8 billion to enhance the livelihoods of pastoralists in the Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve, located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The announcement was made by the Managing Director of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim Elhusseini, during the unveiling of the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm under the Nestlé Livestock Development Project (NLDP) in Abuja.
Elhusseini stated that the project, launched in 2019 in collaboration with CBI Innovations and 2SCALE, is focused on improving milk production, fodder availability, and community resilience.
He revealed that the initiative currently collects an average of 6,000 litres of fresh milk daily from 1,600 dairy households, with plans to increase this volume to 30,000 litres per day by November 2027 through improved breeding and modern dairy farming techniques.
The project has led to a significant boost in income for participating milk producers, with household earnings rising from N70,000 in 2021 to N250,000 in 2024.
This increase is attributed to improved dairy practices and investments in critical infrastructure. Since its inception, the project has aggregated over one million litres of raw milk, benefiting 3,000 dairy farmers organized into 83 cooperatives.
Elhusseini highlighted that the project’s success is due to training over 2,000 pastoralists in modern dairy practices, vaccinating more than 36,000 cattle, and establishing 19 boreholes along with 28 water troughs to ensure steady water supply.
He emphasized that the initiative has significantly improved milk quality, reducing rejection rates from 12 percent in 2021 to 5 percent in 2024.
The company remains committed to achieving 30,000 litres of daily milk production across FCT and its neighboring dairy clusters by 2027, which is expected to strengthen regional food security.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, commended Nestlé for its contribution to sustainable agriculture and livestock development, describing the project as a milestone in Nigeria’s quest for food security and economic growth.
He noted that the initiative supports climate-smart farming practices, enhances productivity, and ensures a reliable income source for thousands of rural families through the Paikon Kore milk collection hub.
He also pledged the ministry’s support in addressing industry challenges, including infrastructure deficits, limited financing, and inadequate veterinary services.
Olusoji Apampa, CEO of CBI Innovations Ltd, described the unveiling as a transformative moment for Nigeria’s dairy industry, emphasizing the project’s commitment to sustainability, advanced livestock management, and breed improvement.
He revealed that the farm’s cattle population has increased from 20 to 71 in less than two years.
Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development at the FCTA, affirmed that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to drive economic growth and national development through agricultural innovation.
