The Federal Government said on Wednesday that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Danish dairy company, Arla Foods, makers of Dano milk, and the world’s fourth largest dairy company, to develop the dairy industry in Nigeria.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, disclosed this on Wednesday while meeting with the Senior Vice President and Head of Arla Foods for Sub-Saharan African, Steen Hadsbjerg, who signed for the company.

Ogbeh welcomed the move by Arla, saying the MoU would further add value to Nigerians’ lives, particularly children.

“What you are doing excites me a lot because Nigeria is at a critical time in its development. The population is growing extremely fast. We have a large number of children malnourished, almost 27 percent.

“The dairy market is huge: would be about 450 million consumers by 2050. Nigeria also has its eyes on feeding West, North and Central Africa.

“Let this be a synergies and not just a business. The cows are not properly taken care of so the quality and quantity of milk, beef they produce is low.

“We look forward to seeing a transformation of your knowledge to our farmers,” Ogbeh said.

Expressing optimism about the MoU, Steen Hadsbjerg, said Arla would train 200 farmers and also produce 1,000 litres of milk per day. He further disclosed that the company would start in Kwara and Kaduna before spreading to other parts of the country.

“We are committed to do proper development to supply technical knowhow to farmers in Nigeria.

“We will assist to develop the supply chain; we will work to ensure quality delivery of milk produce here to meet international standards, Hadsbjerg said.