*Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project says the milk collection centres will be established with support of the Islamic Development Bank, and Lives and Livelihood Fund to boost dairy production and enhance pastoral women’s livelihood

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In an effort at boosting dairy production, enhancing the livelihood of pastoral women while promoting nutrition security, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)-funded Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has announced plans to establish 200 Milk Collection Centres in the state.

ConsumerConnect reports KSADP disclosed this development in a statement Ameen Yasar, Communication Specialist of the agency, issued Friday, February 11, 2022, in Kano State, Northern Nigeria.

Photo: KASDP

Yasar stated Ibrahim Garba-Muhammad, KSADP Project Coordinator, said that the milk collection centres would be established with support of the IsDB and the Lives and Livelihood Fund (LLF).

Garba-Muhammad stated this at the inauguration of the multi stakeholders meeting on milk collection centres held in Kano.

“This is a significant step in milk value chain development that will empower our herdsmen, especially women, toward ensuring milk quality, hygiene and profitability.

“With this development, the project will also create linkages with major off-takers and women.

“The key players in milk collection and marketing will no longer risk their lives by travelling several kilometres to sell their milk at cheap prices because the quality is compromised due to deficiencies in collection, storage and transportation.

“With improved milk collection, storage and marketing initiatives, pastoralists and the government would generate better income.

“It will also cut spending on milk and dairy products importation,” Garba-Muhammad was quoted as saying in the statement.

The Project Coordinator said the MCCs would be designated in areas accessible and safe to the pastoralists, adding that members of the Milk Cooperative Society would be trained to ensure effective management of the centres.

According to the statement, Prof. Peter Barje and Danladi Ebbah, representatives of the consulting firms, noted that the centres would be equipped with solar power and cooling facilities, water tank, feed and veterinary medicine store and offices, among others.

The trainees, Ebbah said, would be exposed to milk handling and financial management for sustainability.