In a period marked by national conversations
around food security, rural livelihoods, and youth employment, Arla is
demonstrating what practical solutions can look like on the ground. The global
dairy company, producer of Dano Milk, is set to host the second edition of its
Open Day at the Arla- Dano Farm in Damau in Kaduna state, the Dairy State
of Nigeria. An initiative that brings together policymakers, agricultural experts,
students, and farmers to explore the evolving face of dairy farming in Nigeria.
This year’s edition will spotlight two key developments: the commissioning of
Arla’s new yoghurt factory in Damau, Kaduna, and the company’s ongoing
investments in technical capacity within Nigeria’s dairy value chain. The newly
launched facility, located within the Arla-Dano Damau complex, will produce
yoghurt, made entirely from fresh milk sourced directly from both the Arla-
Dano Farm and local Damau farms, with no added milk powder or
preservatives. The move marks a significant step in Nigeria’s drive toward
local milk processing and backward integration.
For Nigeria, where a large percentage of dairy demand is met through
imports, the development underscores the importance of private-sector
investment in achieving food self-sufficiency. But beyond infrastructure, Arla is
also drawing attention to another critical issue, the shortage of skilled talent in
modern dairy farming.
Despite growing interest in agriculture, many graduates and farmworkers lack
the technical expertise required to operate advanced dairy systems. To
address this gap, Arla continues to open its doors to agricultural institutions
and students, offering opportunities to observe and learn from live farm
operations. The Open Day serves as an extension of this mission, enabling
participants to engage directly with farm managers, veterinarians, and
production specialists on topics such as animal welfare, feed optimisation, and
sustainable milk production.
Speaking ahead of the event, Peder Pedersen, Managing Director of Arla
Foods Nigeria, explained: “Investing in people is just as important as investing
in agriculture. The Open Day provides a space for knowledge sharing, for
farmers, students, relevant stakeholders and policymakers to see how
innovation and local participation can shape a stronger dairy future for
Nigeria.”
Snorri Sigurdsson, Raw milk production Senior Manager, Arla Nigeria said:
“Having spent decades in dairy farming, I see this Open Day as an opportunity
to demystify modern dairy systems and show that technical excellence is
within reach. With our new yoghurt facility now part of the ecosystem, the farm
is evolving beyond milk production into a hub for innovation, skills transfer,
and sustainable growth.”
The Arla-Dano Farm houses hundreds of both imported and locally bred
Holstein-Friesland cattle and features modern milking, cooling, and feed
systems designed to improve productivity while maintaining high animal
welfare standards.
Over the years, Arla’s partnerships have helped to train local farmers in
modern dairy techniques, improving milk yields and enabling smallholders to
participate more competitively in formal value chains. The company’s work in
Kaduna continues to demonstrate how commercial and community objectives
can align to drive long-term agricultural transformation.
As Nigeria works towards building a resilient and inclusive food economy, the
Open Day stands as a reminder that sustainable progress depends not only
on policy frameworks but on tangible examples of innovation, skill-building,
and collaboration, the kind that can turn ambition into action on Nigerian soil.
Published on Brandfit