The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) says it is working on plans to boost milk production in the country by enhancing the capacity of Nigerian farmers.
Dr Bola Olugbemi, the coordinator of RMRDC’s integrated diary and milk production programme said this while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, in Jalingo.
Olugbemi said that the aim was to make milk production one of the main stay of the nation’s economy.
“We have a team from RMRDC in the state to commence a pilot scheme of artificial insemination on some selected cows from few pastoral groups to make them produce the targeted 30 litre per cow in a day instead of the usual one litre per day.
“The team is in the state to liaise with all stakeholders to select few pastoral groups to carry out a pilot scheme of artificial insemination on selected cows to come up with a breed that can produce 30 litres of milk per day.
“The team has already done it successfully in Adamawa and Kaduna states and hope to continue until dairy production become one of our major sources of income in Nigeria,” he said.
Dr David Kassa, the Taraba Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development expressed delight over the programme.
“The programme will not only boost milk production but will help us to tackle farmers/herders clashes because it requires cows to be put in one place for maximum results,’’ he said.
Kassa said that the programme would key into the state anti open grazing prohibition law.
Some of the stakeholders at the event included officials from the state Ministry of Science and Technology, the State University, farmers and the media.
