Nigeria is importing dairy cattle from Denmark as it aims to double its milk output within five years, part of a plan to cut dairy imports that cost the country $1.5 billion a year, Livestock Minister Idi Maiha said on Monday.

Nigeria has one of Africa?s largest cattle populations, but the country still struggles to produce enough milk for its people. The country currently produces 700,000 tonnes of milk per year, but Nigerians consume 1.6 million tonnes annually.

This means Nigeria has to import about 60% of its milk from other countries, creating a huge gap that costs the nation $1.5 billion every year.

The government now has an ambitious plan to change this situation.

?Our goal is ambitious but achievable; to double Nigeria?s milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually in the next five years,? Minister Maiha said.

The problem, according to Maiha, is that Nigeria?s cattle population of over 20 million consists mainly of traditional pastoralist breeds that don?t produce much milk. These local breeds are not as productive as modern dairy cattle.

To solve this problem, Nigeria is importing high-quality dairy cattle from Denmark. One Nigerian farm has already brought in over 200 female cattle (called heifers) from Denmark. The farm is now using intensive breeding methods to build up its herd with these more productive animals.

The government is also taking other steps to improve milk production. Maiha said that eight new types of pasture grass have been officially registered for the first time in 48 years. Better grass means better-fed cattle, which should lead to more milk production.

Additionally, Nigeria has launched a national strategy for managing animal genetic resources with help from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, a United Nations agency that focuses on food and farming issues.

Minister Maiha emphasised that Nigeria is not starting from scratch in this effort.

?With over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep, and 1.4 million goats already, we are not starting from zero, we are building from strength,? Maiha said. (BUSINESS DAY)

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