From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Sebore International Farm has reiterated its commitment to ending importation of dairy products through strategic partnership towards high quality integration of milk in the country.
Managing Director of the Farm, Mallam Aminu Nyako made this disclosure at the launching of the improved solar powered dairy factory tagged ‘Admiral ‘A yoghurt in Mayo-belwa, Adamawa state, Thursday stressing that the project became necessary due to advancement in the global economy.
Nyako said the launching of the dairy farm ushers in the beginning of a dream come true achievement where a global competitive industrial business atmosphere will be observed just like in Dubai but in Adamawa state and in Nigeria.
Nyako explained that the project (Admiral ‘A Dairy processing plant) is fully powered by renewable energy with capacity to process 150 tonnes of milk every day powered by solar and battery Energy storage systems with the capacity to produce and store 5mw of power.
He stated that the project was realised through a collaboration with providus Bank and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for allowing the Farm to accessed facilities that birthed the new high technology plant.
“The project is supported by national and international partners including Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, the Sahel Consulting firm, Central Bank of Nigeria,(CBN) and Providus Bank.
“This gigantic project was conceived to turn around the socio-economic fortunes of the North East and Nigeria as a whole with a survey showing 2.1 million cattle resident in Adamawa which is a massive potential,” Nyako said.
Delivering his address at the occasion, Special guest of honour and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state said the establishment of the dairy plant will add value to the economy of the country.
Governor Abdulrazaq opined that the plant will help in addressing national food security saying that herders will be positioned in one place making money without indulging in any hazard.
He pledged that his government will partner with Sebore International Farms to keep dairy farmers in good relationship to poster peace in the state calling on Federal government to inject more support in this regard.
In his remarks, Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele said the CBN has been intervening in Agricultural value chains including dairy products noting that Sebore happens to be first on line.
Represented by Chika Nwanja, Head of CBN Credit and retail division, Emefiele announced that the CBN is supporting the dairy products project at Sebore Farms in order to put a stop to importation of dairy products.