On April 17 and 18, 2024, the capital city of Nigeria-Abuja, bustled with impact-driven activities as the Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS)-2SCALE Donor and other stakeholders gathered for two significant events to acknowledge the achievements and impact of the 2SCALE program in Nigeria. Spearheaded by the 2SCALE team, these events highlighted the potency of strategic collaboration in revolutionizing local agriculture and showcased the extensive benefits of the inclusive agribusiness model.
Day One: Witnessing Dairy Partnership Success in Piakon Kore
The first day, held in the tranquil community of Piakon Kore, with over a hundred participants focused on the Nestlé/2SCALE dairy partnership. Mr. Mohammed Zailani, the Inclusive Agribusiness Advisor, began the event with an insightful overview of the partnership, which started in 2021. The initiative has established a state-of-the-art dairy demonstration farm and a solar-powered milk collection center, both funded by Nestlé. These facilities represent significant advancements in sustainable practices within Nigeria's dairy sector.
Inclusive innovations were showcased, highlighting sustainable practices within the dairy agribusiness sector in Nigeria. From better feeding systems to improved cattle breeds, various training and practical sessions have been organized for the herdsmen. Their wives, who are the primary milk owners, were not left out. These women were trained in hygienic milk collection, financial management, and were supported to own their individual bank accounts. The youths within the community were also recruited as milk collectors, reducing the time taken to offtake the milk and eliminating the need for the herdsmen’s wives to hawk milk.
This partnership has made a significant difference in our lives, business, and homes. Because of the milk transporters, we no longer need to hawk our milk all day, which deprived us of attending to other duties. Now, we can give enough time to cater to our families and also increase the quantity of milk sold,
remarked Halima Ardo, one of the women representative.
The partnership's success is evident in the substantial income increases for various actors involved and over 900 youth employment opportunities have been created. Testimonies from herdsmen, their wives, milk collectors, youths, and representatives from Ecobank and Nestlé highlighted the positive impact on better feeding systems and the production of healthier, more nutritious milk.
Mr. Alidu, Nestlé Business Development Manager, emphasized the partnership's role in improving the lives of smallholder farmers through continuous training sessions. He expressed a desire to sustain this initiative until the dairy network can operate independently.
Beyond providing better dairy systems, the partnership has significantly improved the lives of smallholder farmers within the community through various training sessions conducted. As such, we would like to continue this initiative until this network of dairy actors can function independently of the partnership.
Beyond providing better dairy systems, the partnership has significantly improved the lives of smallholder farmers within the community through various training sessions conducted. As such, we would like to continue this initiative until this network of dairy actors can function independently of the partnership.
