…Advances Dairy Development Model Inspired by New Zealand, Morocco

The Gombe State Government has initiated a strategic public-private partnership framework to strengthen the state’s dairy industry by improving milk production, collection and processing, as part of 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 in the emerging dairy value chain and deepen collaboration for the sector’s growth.

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

He explained that established dairy farms are expected to serve as anchor suppliers of quality raw milk to the milk processing facilities that will soon be established across the state.

According to him, the L-PRES project will provide technical support and production inputs to improve herd productivity, strengthen farm management practices and reduce production losses.

While large dairy farms will serve as key suppliers within the value chain, Prof. Abubakar noted that smallholder dairy farmers will also benefit from similar interventions.

He also pointed out the strong commitment of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, to transforming the livestock and dairy sector, noting that the Governor has continued to expose stakeholders to global best practices in dairy development.

Prof. Abubakar recalled that the Governor recently led delegations to Morocco and New Zealand to study advanced dairy production technologies, pasture management systems, milk processing infrastructure and cooperative dairy farm management models.

“These engagements were aimed at learning practical approaches that can be adapted to modernise the dairy industry in Gombe State,” he said, noting that the focus has now shifted to implementing those lessons through strategic investments and partnerships.

Among the key initiatives underway is the Gombe Agro-Livestock Development Zone, which will host an ultra-modern abattoir, international livestock market, tannery, modern veterinary hospital and beef fattening hubs.

In addition, plans are in place to establish 22 milk collection centres across major dairy clusters in the state to improve milk aggregation, marketing and value addition.

Prof. Abubakar encouraged dairy farm owners to strengthen their operations ahead of the upcoming interventions under the L-PRES project by expanding herd sizes with improved dairy breeds, maintaining proper farm records, developing sustainable pasture systems and adopting modern farm management practices.

In their remarks, the dairy farmers commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya and the L-PRES project for creating a platform that brings together key stakeholders in the dairy sector.

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