Arla Showcases Advanced Dairy Production and Sustainable Farming at Kaduna Open Day

...Event highlights cutting-edge techniques and collaboration to boost Nigeria's dairy industry

Arla Foods, a farmer-owned dairy co-operative, recently hosted its first-ever Arla-Damau Open Day at the Arla Farm in Damau, Kaduna, bringing together key industry players to promote the advancement of local dairy production in Nigeria.

 

The event drew a diverse group of attendees, including officials from both the Kaduna State and Federal governments, local dairy farmers, agricultural stakeholders, and students from veterinary universities. The Open Day offered a unique opportunity for participants to witness Arla's state-of-the-art milk production processes and its commitment to sustainable farming.

Since its launch in May 2023, the Arla Farm has become a pivotal part of the local dairy ecosystem, working closely with local farmers to enhance milk yields, prioritize animal welfare, and contribute to economic growth in the region.

Guests were given an exclusive tour of the farm's facilities, where they observed innovative dairy production methods—from animal feed and welfare practices to advanced milking technologies designed to ensure high-quality milk production. Additionally, around 20 local and international partner companies set up exhibition stands, showcasing a variety of products and services for dairy farming.

Veterinary students also took part in the event, gaining valuable insights into how their academic knowledge translates to real-world dairy production. "It's vital to bridge the gap between theory and practice to inspire the next generation of dairy and veterinary professionals," said Mr. Snorri Sigurdsson, Senior Manager for Raw Milk Production. "We hope events like this will encourage more young people to explore careers in sustainable dairy farming and agribusiness."

The Open Day also highlighted Arla’s collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Agriculture and Kaduna State Government, underscoring the importance of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable growth in the Nigerian dairy sector. As part of this, Arla continues to support the Damau Household Project, an initiative by the Kaduna State government aimed at empowering local households through dairy farming. 

The Deputy Governor of Kaduna state Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe stated that the Arla Farm is significantly strengthening the dairy sector, empowering local communities and contributing to the economy of the state.

“Today’s Open Day is a celebration of what we can achieve when we come together with a shared vision – a vision of a sustainable, innovative, and prosperous agricultural sector in Nigeria,” said Elele Ogunsanya, Senior Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager, Arla Global Dairy Products Ltd. “The Arla-Damau Open Day reinforces our core mission to empower local capacity and boost local production through our collective efforts and investments toward building sustainable dairy processes and infrastructure in Nigeria. We have identified the need to share and spread our knowledge, and today we showcase some of the most advanced practices in sustainable dairy farming that not only reduce our environmental impact but also increase the efficiency and productivity of our operations.”

Arla’s commitment to support under the Partnership for Green and Productive Dairy (PGPD) project, its content development initiatives, green dairy farming practices, and integration of advanced technology continue to effect key developments in the industry’s journey to scaling local production and building a sustainable environment for dairy farmers to thrive. The Arla-Damau Open Day underscores the company’s progress on its ambition to strengthen local dairy production, support economic growth, and contribute to Nigeria’s food security.