Wedoany.com Report on Mar 13th, The Indian National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Jigawa State Government in Nigeria are exploring the establishment of a strategic partnership to enhance the local livestock and dairy production sector. Governor Umar Namadi met with a delegation from the Indian dairy institution, led by Rajesh O. Gupta, at the Dutse Government House, where both sides discussed the details of the collaboration.
Namadi stated that this visit is based on the preliminary consensus reached with the NDDB during his visit to India last year, aiming to transform the state's dairy industry through technology transfer and model adaptation. He noted, "The arrival of the NDDB delegation is a crucial step in fulfilling the agreement, helping to build a structured partnership that will optimize the dairy layout and improve the livelihoods of farmers and herders."
The Governor emphasized that the similarity in climatic conditions between Nigeria and India enables Jigawa State to learn from India's dairy development strategies without major environmental concerns. He added, "India's experience with the cooperative-based dairy model can play a significant role in strengthening farmer organizations and introducing modern technology, thereby upgrading Jigawa's milk production system."
Namadi observed that the NDDB has successfully driven the transformation of India's dairy industry, making it one of the world's leading milk producers. He mentioned that improving livestock genetics through crossbreeding and artificial insemination could significantly increase the milk yield of local cows, many of which currently have low production. The Governor stated, "Enhancing dairy productivity will increase milk output and create new economic opportunities in rural areas."
The state government also plans to invest in knowledge transfer and capacity building to support livestock sector reforms. Namadi said, "We are prepared to fund local scientists and extension workers to receive training in dairy science and livestock management in India. Knowledge sharing is crucial for sustaining the reforms." He further noted that India's extensive agricultural extension network could serve as a model for strengthening the state's advisory services.
Namadi assured the delegation that the Jigawa State Government hopes to accelerate the cooperation process and looks forward to receiving a comprehensive proposal from the NDDB by the end of March or early April to guide subsequent implementation. Earlier, Gupta commended the state government for providing the opportunity for the team to conduct field assessments of the livestock ecosystem within two days. He revealed, "The success of India's dairy industry is attributed to sustained investment across the entire value chain, including animal breeding, farmer organization, and technology application." Gupta added that India produces approximately 247 million metric tons of milk annually, holding a significant position in global dairy production.
The NDDB delegation expressed its willingness to support Jigawa State through technical cooperation, capacity building, and pilot projects, which could serve as demonstration models for expanding the dairy sector. This collaboration is expected to inject new momentum into the development of the dairy industry in Nigeria's northwestern state, promoting sustainable economic growth.
