Dear Reader,
As 2024 draws to a close, I am filled with gratitude for all we have achieved this year. Although the year brought its economic challenges for many businesses, it has nevertheless been a journey of growth, collaboration, and innovation for the Arla Farm, andI am excited to share some highlights from the last quarter with you.
One of the standout moments of 2024 was the first-of-its-kind Arla Farm Open Day. This event showcased our unwavering commitment to sustainable dairy development in Nigeria. We welcomed farmers, students, government stakeholders, and partners to experience firsthand our green farming practices, innovative technologies, and the work we are doing to empower the local dairy industry. We are very grateful to all stakeholders who travelled to our Farm to attend the Open Day event. Your participation made it a huge success. A special thank you to the Kaduna State Government, and the Danish and Swedish Ambassadors for their key participation at the event. We look forward to achieving even bigger milestones together in future.
This year, we also commissioned our solar panels at the farm giving us a capacity of 250kw which we hope to expand in future.This has greatly helped reduce our CO2 emissions. We also look back at the successful birth of our first calves from heifers that were locally inseminated at the Farm. Our Farm is expanding and we are happy to be able to produce more quality and nutritious milk. Sustainability remains the cornerstone of our mission. This year, we continued to make strides through our local dairydevelopment activities, empowering smallholder farmers with training, resources, and access to market opportunities. As we look to 2025, there is much to be excited about. We will deepen our investments in local dairy development, expand our partnerships with state governments and federal ministries, and roll out new initiatives to improve milk production and distribution across Nigeria. Innovation will continue to drive our efforts, with a focus on technologies that make farming more efficient and sustainable.
Additionally, we are committed to creating more opportunities for skills development, particularly for young people, as we believe they are the future of the dairy industry. As we prepare to welcome a new year, I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you, our employees, partners, and stakeholders. Your hard work, dedication, and belief in our mission have been instrumental to our success.
From all of us at Arla Foods Nigeria, I wish you a joyful holiday season filled with love, peace, and relaxation. May 2025 bring us even greater achievements and closer partnerships as we continue to nourish the nation.
Peder Pedersen MD, Arla Global Dairy Products Ltd.
The Arla-Damau Open Day
The Arla Damau Open Day was held on the 9th of October 2024, at the Arla Farm in Damau, Kaduna State. It was the very first of its kind, as we opened our doors to showcase Arla’s sustainable dairy farming practices and innovative agricultural methods.
The Open Day showcased the Arla Farm’s productive and "green" dairy farming practices and provided an opportunity for local dairy farmers, agricultural institutions, and other key stakeholders in the dairy industry to witness Arla’s commitment to creating the future of dairy in Nigeria.
During the event, participants engaged in various activities, including a comprehensive tour of the farm facilities.
There were also, 16 exhibitors in attendance who are providers / suppliers to the farm. They showcased their products and services to attendees of the event. Farmers and stakeholders also had the opportunity to network with them and exchange contacts.
A highlight of the event was the visit from about 48 veterinary students from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. During the Open Day, the students had the opportunity to experience, firsthand, Arla’s innovative practices, and gained significant insights into sustainable dairy farming.
The concept of the Open Day was birthed as we identified the need to share and spread our knowledge and innovation more, showcasing some of the most advanced practices in sustainable dairy farming in Nigeria that not only reduce environmental impact but also increase the efficiency and productivity of operations. Our goal is to also encourage the next generation of veterinary and dairy professionals by bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world practices and we hope that events like these will inspire more young people to pursue careers in sustainable dairy farming and agribusiness in Nigeria.
Click here to watch the Open Day Video - Arla Damau Open Day
Arla Bulls in Action
At the Arla Farm, only sexed semen from the Nordic company VikingGenetics is used. This results in approximately 90% of the calves born being heifers (females), meaning only a few bulls are born on site. Since there is no need for breeding bulls at the Arla Farm, these bulls are raised to be sold as breeding stock to farmers in Nigeria, who may not have access to insemination or adequate facilities for cow breeding through such methods.
Last month, the first four bulls were made available to farmers in Nigeria, and they were sold within days due to the significant shortage of quality breeding bulls in the country. These bulls will now begin their service on a few selected farms across Nigeria.
In the future, we expect to make more bulls available to interested farmers throughout the country. Although using bulls should always be the second option to using semen from specially selected bulls, the distribution of Arla bulls will undoubtedly have a positive impact on local dairy production. Their use will lead to more productive cows, thereby significantly benefiting local dairy production in Nigeria.
Arla and NAPRI Join Forces
We are happy to have signed an MoU with the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) in October this year. This partnership marks a significant step towards enhancing our efforts in pasture field research, soil analysis and feed sampling, as well as research on breeding and capacity building, all with the aim of advancing sustainable dairy farming practices in Nigeria. Together, we are committed to empowering local farmers and strengthening Nigeria’s dairy sector for a brighter future.
Preparing for the Future: Insights from EuroTier 2024
Every second year, an international trade fair, called EuroTier, is held in Germany. This leading global event focuses on professional animal farming and livestock management. At EuroTier, the majority of leading companies in dairy farming showcase the latest technology and solutions being used in their operations. This year’s EuroTier took place in Hannover, Germany, from the 12th to the 15th of November. Our Head of Raw Milk Production Mr. Snorri Sigurdsson attended and reported some exciting new innovations. At the fair, many significant inventions in the dairy farming industry were introduced. These innovations focus on a greener future and advanced technology to simplify dairy farming.
Below are a few examples from this remarkable event:
Livestock Facial Recognition
The company Tool AI had an interesting innovation that was based partly on the use of artificial intelligence. This system, known for over five years but not actively marketed until now, enables farmers to use their mobile phones to easily recognize their cattle through facial recognition. By simply pointing the phone's camera at the relevant animal, farmers can quickly access all available information about the animal on their screens. This technology significantly reduces the workload for farmers in a straightforward manner.
Robot Fills the Feed Mixer
With the rise of self-driving cars, it was only a matter of time before a self-driving machine for farmers was developed. Today, robots that perform simple tasks such as scraping manure or pushing in feed are already available on the market. However, with this new robot, farmers can program it to load feed from bunkers into feed mixers! The company ManuRob has introduced this self-driving machine, called LaodIX, which is specially adapted for work on dairy farms. It can automatically navigate around feed storage facilities, pick up both silage and feed additives, and shovel them into the feed mixer without any human assistance.
Wireless Sensors in the Rumen
Today, an increasing number of companies are developing automatic systems to monitor animal health and well-being. One such company is Moonsyst, which produces special sensors that are placed in the rumen of cows. These sensors can monitor factors such as food intake, rumen pH, animal temperature, movement, and general health. The equipment transmits this information to the barn computer, which alerts the farmer if something is wrong or if the animal requires attention. Other companies offer similar solutions, some using small sensors integrated into the animal's ear tag. These helpful devices can be crucial for dairy farms, ensuring that farmers can optimize the productivity of their herds.
Gas-Powered Tractor
In recent years, tractor manufacturers have made significant progress in reducing tractors' dependency on fossil fuels. Although electric tractors still face challenges due to the substantial weight of the required batteries, many have turned to using gas derived from manure. Methane-based solutions have been around for quite some time, but a viable alternative for farmers has only recently emerged. At this year's exhibition, a specially designed New Holland 8970 tractor was introduced. It features replaceable gas tanks mounted on the front, allowing for easy tank changes and saving farmers a considerable amount of time, as refilling gas can be time-consuming. This solution is particularly appealing because most farmers could potentially produce their own fuel from the manure generated by the animals on their farms.
Our New Yoghurt Factory
Coming soon is our state-of-the-art yoghurt factory located by the Arla Farm in Damau, Kaduna State. This new facility marks a significant milestone as Arla Foods transitions from its 5-year collaboration with Milcopal, to producing its own locally-made yoghurt, a product that promises the quality and great taste our consumers are used to.
The yoghurt factory, set to begin operations in Q1 of the coming year, reflects Arla’s vision of integrating world-class dairy practices with local production, while contributing to Nigeria’s growing demand for nutritious dairy products. At the heart of Arla’s business lies a passion for delivering high-quality dairy products that nourish families and communities. Yoghurt, rich in calcium, protein, and essential nutrients, plays a critical role in healthy diets, particularly for growing children and active adults.
The Damau yoghurt factory will further complement the initiatives already underway at the Arla Farm. With its innovative, green farming practices, the farm has set a benchmark for sustainable dairy production in Nigeria. This milestone also reflects Arla’s commitment to developing the local dairy sector by fostering economic growth and creating employment for skilled workers to be engaged at the yoghurt factory and along the value chain.
Arla Foods places the highest priority on ensuring that all its dairy products, including yoghurt, meet world-class standards for safety, quality, and nutrition. This commitment is upheld through rigorous processes overseen by our nutrition and quality assurance experts at every stage of production, from farm to table. The journey to safe and nutritious yoghurt begins with the quality of the milk. The fresh milk will be sourced directly from the farm in Damau, ensuring that only milk meeting strict quality criteria is accepted. Throughout the production process, our quality assurance teams conduct regular tests to monitor the product’s safety, texture, and taste.
By combining state-of-the-art technology, scientific expertise, and sustainable practices, Arla’s nutrition and quality assurance teams guarantee that every taste of our yoghurt is not only delicious but also safe, nutritious, and of the highest quality.
As our new yoghurt prepares for roll out, Arla remains steadfast in its mission: to support healthier diets, drive sustainable innovations, and bring the best of dairy to Nigerian families. Stay tuned as we bring this exciting project to life and get ready to enjoy Arla Nigeria’s very own locally produced yoghurt crafted with care, quality, and a passion for sustainable nutrition.
Dano Evaporated Milk - Great Taste Has Arrived!
As part of our commitment to providing high-quality dairy nutrition in Nigeria, we have recently launched the much anticipated Dano Cool Cow and Dano Full Cream Evaporated Milk variants!
These are products that we have long envisioned and carefully crafted for our beloved Nigerian market - the culmination of thorough planning, dedication, and a shared vision of excellence.
We indeed understand the importance of dairy in everyday life and the role it plays in providing nourishment to millions. With Dano Evaporated Milk, we are proud to offer a product that brings together the very best of nutrition, convenience, and trust; values that are at the core of the Dano brand.
In Other News
Nutrition in the Dairy Sector Workshop
On November 15th, Arla Foods, in partnership with the Consulate General of Denmark to Nigeria and the Financial Centre for Sustainability (FC4S) Lagos, hosted a high-level workshop in Lagos, focused on improving nutrition in Nigeria’s dairy sector.
Titled ‘Nutrition in the Dairy Sector’, the workshop addressed current challenges and opportunities in improving nutrition through Nigeria’s dairy sector. The workshop aimed to bring together key industry stakeholders, to assess the current state of nutrition, and highlighted the importance of understanding the role of dairy products in the national diet. Breakout discussions explored strategies for improving dairy nutrition through innovative practices. Furthermore, ways to promote sustainable dairy production practices such as improved systems and processes along the value chain were discussed and policy and regulatory frameworks required for success were identified and recommended.
Stakeholders included National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Sahel Consulting, Helen Keller International, Milk Value chain Foundation and amongst others offering attendees an opportunity to engage in critical dialogue on this topic.
Courtesy Visit to the new Minister of Livestock Development
A team from Arla Foods Nigeria and the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria H.E. Mr. Jens Ole Bach Hansen had the honour of paying a first courtesy visit to the newly appointed Minister of Livestock Development of Nigeria H.E. Alhaji Idi Muktar Maiha.
It was a meaningful meeting highlighting the strides both Arla Foods and the Danish government have made in the Nigerian dairy sector and gave recommendations to elevate the sector even further. We shared insights on our green and sustainable practices, particularly on the Arla Farm in Damau, Kaduna, investments in local dairy development, and our commitment to empowering smallholder farmers.
We are excited about our joint plans and the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to driving impactful change in partnership with the Ministry of Livestock Development.
Stakeholder Consultative Workshop on Livestock Reforms in Nigeria
In October we had the privilege of attending the “Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on Livestock Reforms in Nigeria” at the Aso Villa in Abuja. Setting the tone in his opening remarks, Mr. President, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasized the importance of the new ministry of Livestock Development stating that the Fed. Government would give the ministry its full support. With breakout sessions in key areas like Dairy Development, we at Arla Foods shared our insights and ideas to help shape impactful reforms for the new Ministry of Livestock Development. It was inspiring to connect with dairy farmers, producers, and agricultural service providers dedicated to advancing Nigeria’s livestock sector.
