By Omolola Pedro
A European dairy cooperative, Arla Foods and the Nigerian government have signed an agreement to jointly develop the dairy industry in Nigeria. According to Arla, a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), led by Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, and representatives from Arla Foods, signed a new five-year agreement that “builds on the foundation from previous years” at the company’s Innovation Centre in Aarhus, Denmark.
The new agreement, which is also a representation of modifications, states that both parties are dedicated to developing the local dairy sector by encouraging cooperative business structures among nomadic herders, providing opportunities for training, learning and knowledge sharing, continuing product development and focus on sustainability, and generating more employment opportunities and better living conditions for nearby dairy farmers. Signing a new five-year agreement with Arla Foods opens up new opportunities for the Nigerian dairy industry, as we continue to develop our sector, explore backwards integration, and learn from one of the world’s leading players like Arla Foods”, Umakhihe said. The Senior Director and Head of Arla Nigeria, Peder Pedersen, said “The Nigerian dairy sector has great potentials, and the combination of an entrepreneurial Nigerian mindset, a growing economy and our dairy farming expertise makes this a fruitful partnership for everyone involved”.
