THE Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has announced plans to establish 200 Milk Collection Centres to boost dairy production and enhance livelihood of pastoral women.
This is contained in a statement by Ameen Yasar, KSADP’s Communication Specialist, on Friday in Kano.
The statement quoted the project Coordinator, Ibrahim Garba-Muhammad, as saying that the milk collection centres would be establish with support of the IsDB and the Lives and Livelihood Fund (LLF).
Garba-Muhammad stated this at the inauguration of the multi stakeholders meeting on milk collection centres held in Kano.
“This is a significant step in milk value chain development that will empower our herdsmen, especially women, toward ensuring milk quality, hygiene and profitability.
“With this development, the project will also create linkages with major uptakers and women.
“The key players in milk collection and marketing will no longer risk their lives by traveling several kilometres to sell their milk at cheap prices because the quality is compromised due to deficiencies in collection, storage and transportation.
“With improved milk collection, storage and marketing initiatives, pastoralists and the government would generate better income.
“It will also cut spending on milk and dairy products importation,” Garba-Muhammad was quoted as saying in the statement.
The Project Coordinator said the MCCs would be designated in areas accessible and safe to the pastoralists, adding that members of the Milk Cooperative Society would be trained to ensure effective management of the centres.
The statement further quoted Prof. Peter Barje and Danladi Ebbah, representatives of the consulting firms, as saying that the centres would be equipped with solar power and cooling facilities, water tank, feed and veterinary medicine store and offices, among others.
Ebbah also said the trainees would be exposed to milk handling and financial management for sustainability. (NAN)
