Nigeria’s Gombe State has entered a partnership with Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), a New Zealand-based company known for agricultural innovation and livestock genetics, as part of efforts to modernize cattle farming in the state, Ecofin agency reported.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on February 3, according to a statement on the Gombe State government’s website. It followed a two-day visit by a state delegation to LIC’s facilities in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Under the agreement, both sides plan to introduce modern herd management systems, promote sustainable and climate-smart livestock practices, and build institutional and technical capacity through training programmes and knowledge exchanges.
The partnership also creates a framework for joint research initiatives, including possible collaboration with the University of Gombe.
Don’t Miss This:
2026 budget: FG proposes N102.3bn counterpart funding for Lagos Green Line rail
In addition, the agreement will explore opportunities in genetics and biotechnology, including the potential introduction, subject to regulatory approval, of high-performance New Zealand dairy and cattle genetic traits, the statement said.
New Zealand has a strong global reputation in the dairy industry. Between 2021 and 2023, the country exported an average of 20.3 million tonnes of dairy products each year, making it the world’s leading exporter, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization.
The partnership comes as Nigeria’s federal government works toward doubling national milk production to 1.4 million tonnes by 2030, a target announced in June and backed by private sector investment and international partnerships.
As part of this broader push, Nigeria held its first National Livestock Development Council meeting on November 29 in Adamawa State.
The meeting brought together state governments and dairy industry stakeholders to coordinate policies, mobilise resources, and strengthen partnerships aimed at developing the livestock sector.
Don’t Miss This:
FG, ASUU to unveil new agreement on January 14
Image Credit: Food Business Middle East & Africa
