National Dairy Policy (2021)

What Is This Policy?

The National Dairy Policy provides the framework for developing Nigeria's domestic dairy industry, reducing the country's over-reliance on imported dairy products, and improving the livelihoods of pastoralists and cattle farmers by connecting them to commercial milk collection, processing, and distribution value chains.

Who Does It Target?

Fulani and other pastoralist cattle herders who are the primary milk producers but are poorly integrated into formal dairy markets Dairy processors, milk collection centres, and cold chain operators seeking to develop local supply chains Consumers relying on affordable, locally produced dairy products for nutrition Investors in dairy processing plants, milk chilling infrastructure, and cattle genetics improvement

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Reduce Nigeria's annual dairy import bill, currently exceeding $1.3 billion, by substituting with locally produced milk and dairy products Increase domestic raw milk production from approximately 700,000 tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes by 2025 Formalise milk collection systems and connect pastoralists to guaranteed commercial offtakers Improve cattle genetics through artificial insemination, breed improvement, and veterinary support programmes

Key Features

National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP): The policy is implemented within the NLTP 2019 to 2028, which includes modern ranching, cattle breeding centres, and milk collection hubs Milk Collection Centres (MCCs): State governments and private investors are supported to establish chilled milk collection centres in dairy corridors (Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Oyo, and Minas states) Breed Improvement Programme: AI-based cattle genetics programme aimed at increasing average milk yield per cow from below 2 litres per day toward 8 to 10 litres per day Import Substitution Targets: Policy ties reduced dairy import tariffs to domestic production thresholds, creating conditional incentives for private dairy investors Feed Development: Investments in high-quality animal feed and fodder production to underpin improved dairy cattle performance Pastoralist Integration: Policy specifically addresses the social challenge of sedentarising mobile cattle herders into stable dairy farming operations with land tenure security

Current Status

Active and being implemented. The National Dairy Policy (2021) is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in coordination with state dairy development programmes.

Legal Framework

Agricultural Policy for Nigeria 2001; National Food Security Programme; Land Use Act 1978; National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) 2019 to 2028