The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with Promasidor Nigeria Limited and the Ekiti State Government to expand local milk production and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported dairy products.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Mallam Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance during a working visit to Ikun Dairy Farm in Ikun-Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

Maiha commended the investment and progress recorded at the facility, particularly in cattle breeding, animal healthcare and fresh milk production, describing them as important contributions to the development of Nigeria’s livestock sector.

The Minister noted that Nigeria spends approximately 1.5 billion dollars annually on dairy imports, stressing the need to strengthen domestic production capacity, conserve foreign exchange, create employment opportunities and improve food security.

He assured that the Federal Government would explore areas of collaboration with the company and the state government to expand the facility and strengthen the country’s dairy value chain.

According to the farm’s management, the facility currently accommodates more than 700 cattle, covers over 530 hectares of land and produces more than 6,000 litres of fresh milk daily.

The farm is operated through a partnership between Promasidor Nigeria Limited and the Ekiti State Government, which was formalised in 2019 after years of underutilisation.

Promasidor committed an initial investment of five million dollars towards the revival and development of the facility.

Speaking during the visit, the Group Chief Financial Officer of Promasidor and Chairman of the Board of Ikun Dairy Farm Limited, Mr Yomi Adenson, disclosed that the farm had sold more than 160 pregnant heifers to farmers this year to improve access to quality dairy cattle and encourage local milk production.

He explained that the farm initially faced challenges with imported cattle adapting to the Nigerian environment, resulting in the loss of several animals.

However, sustained breeding efforts have enabled the facility to develop successive generations of cattle better suited to local climatic conditions.

Adenson added that the farm had also invested in producing some of its animal feed requirements, including maize and soybean, while strengthening animal healthcare and adopting improved dairy farming practices.

He called for stronger collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Ekiti State Government to expand the facility’s capacity and accelerate the growth of the dairy industry.

Representing Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the Chief of Staff, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to developing an integrated agricultural value chain that connects crop production with livestock development.

Adebayo also highlighted the commissioning of a modern veterinary hospital in Ado-Ekiti as part of efforts to improve animal healthcare, disease management and livestock productivity.

The Ikun Dairy Farm investment is part of broader efforts to position Ekiti State as a major destination for agricultural investment, while contributing to employment generation, food security and economic development.