From Kabiru R. Anwar, Yola
The federal government has opened a milk collection and processing facility in Yola, in partnership with a Fulani community and Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH).
The gesture, our reporter learnt, was aimed at reducing the importation of milk which experts said cost the country N75 billion annually.
Speaking at the commissioning of the centre at MAUTECH Yola, the Director-General of the Raw Material Research Development Council, Dr. Hussaini Ibrahim, said that the centre was expected to boost milk production from indigenous cattle resources.
He said that Nigeria can only produce one per cent of the local demand while the country spends N75 billion in importation of milk and milk products annually.
The director-general, who was represented by Dr Grema Mustapha, explained that the partner community, Mbamba/Gurin community, provided the cattle for sourcing of the raw material, the RMRDC donated equipment, while MAUTECH installed the equipment in accordance with NAFDAC specification and provided the space.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Kyari Mohammed, who was represented by his deputy, Professor Badhir Aliyu, said the university was planning to collaborate with the host communities in the area of grass farming and livestock production.
In his speech, the state’s Deputy Governor, Eng. Martin Babale, said the present administration was committed to harnessing the abundant livestock and other agricultural resources in the state for improved food supply, wealth creation and youth employment.
A representative of the community, Umaru Dikko, said the participating group was formed during Fadama I and II and some even participated in study tour in Kenya where they benefited from advanced livestock and milk production techniques.
