Arla Foods, makers of Dano Milk, have inaugurated their state-of-the-art dairy farm in Kaduna State as part of the company’s effort to ensure sustainable milk production in Nigeria.
The farm, located in Damau village in Kubau LGA, was inaugurated by the immediate former Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, El-Rufai described the newly commissioned dairy farm as a significant milestone and game changer for the dairy sector in Nigeria.
He commended the management of Arla Foods for having faith and confidence in Nigeria and the Kaduna State Government.
Designed to ensure optimum animal welfare and productivity, the farm will be a showcase for sustainable milk production in Nigeria. It covers 400 hectares, with the capacity to house 400 milking cows and 1,000 animals in total.
Currently, the farm is home to 216 Danish Holstein cows, which arrived in May, 2023, and are settling well into their new environment.
In his welcome address, the Executive Vice President of Arla Foods International, Simon Stevens, described the completion of the farm as a massive achievement for Arla Foods in its journey in Nigeria and globally, noting that the success exemplified the significance of solid partnership and the vast potential available in Nigeria.
He added that the farm, delivered at an investment cost of over 10 million euros, would serve as a place of milk production and an epicentre of dairy farming knowledge.
In his remarks, Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sune Krogstrup, noted that the project demonstrates Arla Foods’ commitment to boosting the local dairy segment of the agricultural value chain that would positively impact the economy of Kaduna State and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP.
In his goodwill message, the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, noted that he was proud to be associated with such a massive investment as it would bring about economic transformation to the people of Kaduna State and beyond.
