FG Turns to Denmark to Solve Nigeria’s Milk Crisis
Byline: IDNN Agriculture Desk
Abuja — The Federal Government has begun a strategic partnership with Denmark to import high-yield dairy cows, aiming to boost Nigeria’s local milk production and cut down the over ₦1.5 trillion spent annually on milk and dairy imports.
The move is part of Nigeria’s National Livestock Transformation Plan, which seeks to modernize livestock farming, transition away from open grazing, and introduce climate-resilient dairy technologies.
Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari confirmed that the first batch of Danish cows has arrived and will be distributed to pilot ranch clusters in Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna.
Why Danish Cows?
Unlike native breeds, the imported Friesian-Holstein cows from Denmark are known to:
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Produce up to 20–30 litres of milk per day (vs 1–2 litres from local breeds)
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Thrive in controlled ranch environments
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Adapt to intensive dairy systems with lower land use
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Deliver economic return within one lactation cycle
“This is about food security and forex savings. We cannot continue to import what we can easily produce,” Minister Kyari said.
Partnership Model: FG + Danish Experts + Private Ranchers
The initiative is structured as a public-private pilot, involving:
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Danish dairy firms supplying genetics and cold-chain logistics
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Nigerian ranchers providing land and local feed
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The FG subsidizing starter stock and vet support
Milk from the pilot project will feed into Nigeria’s emerging dairy corridors, linking farmers to processors like FrieslandCampina WAMCO and Chi Farms.
Local Industry Reacts: Excitement, Skepticism & Hope
While ranchers and processors have welcomed the idea, some stakeholders warn that:
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Infrastructure remains weak — especially cold storage
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Local breeds may be pushed aside
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Fulani herders may resist ranching if not properly engaged
But the FG insists the Danish import is not about replacing — it’s about reforming.
“We are not sidelining pastoralists. We are creating a modern, inclusive dairy economy,” Kyari assured.
Imported Friesian-Holstein cows from Denmark arrive in Nigeria under FG’s dairy reform push to end ₦1.5 trillion annual milk imports.
🔍 IDNN AGRI-ECONOMY ANALYSIS
Will Denmark’s Cows Save Nigeria’s Dairy Industry — or Just Feed the Elite?
👉 The Numbers Don’t Lie:
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Nigeria imports over 70% of its dairy needs
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Local production accounts for just 500,000 tonnes of milk annually
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With better genetics and feed, Nigeria could triple output in 5 years
👉 Key Hurdles Ahead:
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Climate control, veterinary services, feed costs
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Resistance from traditional herders still attached to open grazing
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Coordination between ministries, ranchers, and processors
🗣️ Bottom Line: If Nigeria gets this right, it’s a win for nutrition, forex, and food sovereignty. But if it slips, it’s just more imported headlines — not homegrown solutions.