From Umar Dankano Yola.
No fewer than 63,261 Small holder dairy farmers have been trained on advanced modern dairy production techniques in seven (7) states.
Abdulrashid Abdulmalik Bello, Program Manager of Advancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria,(ALDDN) made the disclosure in his remarks during the close-out of the program held in Yola, the Adamawa state capital on Monday saying that ALDDN is a five-year initiative funded by the Gates Foundation and implemented by SAHEL Consulting firm in partnership with state governments and committed dairy processors.
Bello explained that as a build up on the Nigerian dairy development program,(ND DP) and insights from gender and nutrition studies.ALDDN is catalyzing a vibrant, inclusive local dairy sector that improves productivity, nutrition, empowerment and livelihoods for small holder women dairy farmers and their various communities.
“The program has integrated over 15,000 dairy households and reached 120,000 beneficiaries through processor-led tailored interventions across 7 states including; Adamawa,Taraba,Plateau,Kan o, Kaduna,Bauchi and Jigawa.” Bello stated.
Addressing the attendees of the close out event on the over view of the program,Temitope Adegoroye, Managing Partner,SAHEL Consulting firm ,ALDDN National Team Lead explained that the program is increasing milk yields for at least 75,000 cows from 15,000 dairy households by at least 30% thereby increasing the milk supply.
Adegoroye added that the ALDDN provided trainings on good diary practices, nutrition education, hygiene education and behavior change noting that the training was disseminated through extension agents, including female agents to increase participation of the women dairy farmers.
Adegoroye emphasized that the program is working with the government and dairy companies to create a policy framework and enabling environment that encourages local sourcing of raw milk to catalyze the growth of the Nigerian dairy industry.
“61,374 dairy farmers trained in good dairy practices,26,207 dairy farmers trained on gender integration,103,613 beneficiaries were trained in WASH and nutrition education and 585+ Radio sessions have been held across implementation states”.He mentioned.
“2,663 dairy self-help groups have also been established in to 234 dairy cooperatives.
7,676 stainless steel milk cans have been distributed to beneficiaries,75 solar powered boreholes have been installed across beneficiary communities
While applauding the efforts and support of the processor partners like Sebore farms, Majestic Farms,SAN Dairy,Arla, Integrated Dairies and Naturell.Adegoroye appealed to state governments to ensure sustainability of the program for the benefit of all.
Earlier in his remarks, the permanent secretary, Ministry of livestock and Aqua culture, Dr.Nyalas Bartholomew pledged to sustain the gains of the program
commending Sahel Consulting and its partners for transforming the local dairy value chain and empowering rural women.
Barth assured that the state government will continue to support the cooperatives, sustain the milk collection structures and strengthen collaboration with the private sector to build a self-sufficient dairy economy.
In their remarks as beneficiaries of the program,Ya’u Adamu of Billite village and Aishatu Ibrahim of Labbare village applauded the intervention confessing that the trainings have really changed ways of doing things in their pastoralist lives to a more profitable one in all ramifications.
Our Correspondent reports that, thousands of smallholder farmers, mostly women, were organised in to cooperatives and empowered with financial inclusion, modern dairy practices, solar-powered boreholes, milk collection centres and stainless steel milk cans.
