FG Commends Promasidor As Minister Visits Ikun Dairy Farm

Nigeria’s drive to reduce its dependence on imported dairy products and strengthen domestic milk production is gaining momentum, with Ikun Dairy Farm in Ekiti State emerging as a promising example of what sustained private-sector investment and public-sector collaboration can achieve.

This was reinforced recently when the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, visited the farm, commending its contributions to local milk production, cattle breeding and the development of Nigeria’s livestock sector.

During the visit, the Minister highlighted the scale of Nigeria’s dairy import dependence, noting that the country spends approximately US$1.5 billion annually on imported dairy products. He stressed the importance of supporting investments that can boost domestic production, create employment opportunities and strengthen national food security.

Located in Ikun-Ekiti, within Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Ikun Dairy Farm is operated by Promasidor Nigeria Limited in partnership with the Ekiti State Government. Originally established in the 1980s, the facility remained underutilised for several years until the partnership, formalised in 2019, ushered in a new phase of investment and development, supported by an initial $5 million investment from Promasidor.

Today, the farm covers more than 530 hectares, accommodates over 700 cattle and produces more than 6,000 litres of fresh milk daily, according to its management.

For Promasidor, the investment represents more than an expansion of its dairy operations. It is part of a broader commitment to strengthening the local agricultural value chain and building a more sustainable domestic dairy industry.

Established in Nigeria in 1993, Promasidor manufactures and markets a diverse portfolio of food and beverage products, including Cowbell, Loya, Miksi Onga, Top Tea, Twisco and Kremela.

One of Ikun Dairy Farm’s most significant contributions to the sector is its growing capacity for local cattle breeding. Speaking during the visit, Promasidor’s Group Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board of Ikun Dairy Farm Limited, Mr Yomi Adenson, disclosed that the facility had sold more than 160 pregnant heifers to farmers this year, helping to improve access to dairy cattle and strengthen local production capacity.

He explained that the farm encountered considerable challenges in its early years, including the loss of scores of its imported cattle due to difficulties adapting to the Nigerian environment. However, sustained breeding efforts have enabled the development of successive generations of cattle better adapted to local conditions.

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