The management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, owned by the Ondo State Government, has donated 500 hectares for pilot project towards the development of a dairy village by the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration.
The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, also donated 100 hectares for the project.
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Akeredolu on Agriculture and Agribusiness Pastor Akin Olotu, who disclosed this in Akure, said investors from the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Japan and across the country had indicated interest to invest in the value chain of dairy production.
He said the state was aiming to produce 10,000 litres of milk daily after it launched its milk collection centre.
Olotu said the state government collaborated with Friesland Campina in a Public Private Partnership to encourage interested private sectors to key into any of the value chain in milk production.
He said: “We are encouraging private sector and individuals to come in. All they have to do is develop their pasture. This is an open invitation to all who have interest in the business. We have investors from all over the country.
“The market is huge. Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has restricted importation of dairy products and it has created a huge market in the sector. Let us embrace the opportunities. The governor is committed and I assure you that your investment is secure.”
The Managing Director of Friesland Capina Dairy Company, Mr. John Adekunle, said the firm planned to build 27 milk collection centres in selected local governments.
He said farmers had to bring their milk to the collection centres for quality control because many farmers in other states added water, noting that they did not follow hygiene procedure.
Adekunle said the project could create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.