By Mohammed Momoh
The Kano State Government has announced plans to set up 200 milk collection centres to encourage dairy production, Mr Ameen Yasar, the Communication Specialist in Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project, said in a statement.
Yasar quoted the Project Coordinator, Mr Ibrahim Muhammad, as saying that the state government would soon unveil the multilateral scheme to revolutionise dairy production.
Muhammad unveiled the plan when he hosted members of the Milk Vendors Cooperative Society.
He said the centres would turn around milk production and make the state the hub of dairy production in the country.
He said that the project would be implemented in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank and Lives and Livelihood Fund.
He said routine cattle insemination, fodder production and sustained cattle vaccination would be conducted in the centres to enhance animal healthcare for improved productivity.
Muhammad added that the project would also focus on providing financial and technical support to milk cooperative societies in the state.
“The centres are designed to provide cost-effective and energy efficient cold chain for collection of raw milk without compromising quality to guard against rejection and losses.
“When the milk quality is guaranteed, it will boost income generation for the pastoralists, vendors and up takers.
“As the project unfolds, we are going to support the association with facilities and capacity building training on good hygiene practices and preservation technologies.
“Youths and women members of the association will be empowered with mini milk processing units,” he said.
The coordinator urged members of the association to support the programme to enable it achieve its objectives.
