Indonesia Partners with Nigeria to Boost Milk Production

Indonesia and Nigeria join forces to increase milk production, promoting dairy development and economic growth in Nigeria.

Indonesia has expressed its willingness to support Nigeria in boosting its milk and meat production. According to Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Usra Harahap, Indonesia aims to help Nigeria achieve a 60% increase in milk production and a 40% rise in meat production over the next five years. This commitment was made during Harahap's courtesy visit to Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State in Nigeria on November 29.

Harahap emphasized that his visit was intended to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia, Nigeria, and Kebbi State. This partnership could be beneficial for Nigeria, which has the fifth-largest cattle population in Africa, with an estimated 20.5 million cattle, including 2.35 million dairy cows ¹. However, Nigeria's dairy production is currently characterized by low-input, low-yielding pastoral systems, with over 90% of total annual milk production coming from these systems.

Indonesia's support could help Nigeria address its dairy production challenges and increase its milk output. Interestingly, Indonesia itself has faced challenges in meeting its domestic milk demand, relying heavily on imported dairy products. By sharing expertise and knowledge, both countries can learn from each other and improve their dairy production capabilities.

He said, “This visit aims to boost the earlier collaboration between the Kebbi government and Indonesian government on artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

“This collaboration seeks to establish state-of-the-art reading facilities, development fund, milk and meat processing unit, implement sustainable pasture system and significantly improve milk and meat production by 60 per cent and 40 per cent respectively within five years.”