A study on dairy production and processing by small and medium scale farmers was conducted in
Kaduna and Kano states of Nigeria. The survey showed that dairy production is characterized by low milk
production, and poor milk hygiene as a result of the use of indigenous/local breeds of dairy cattle managed
under pastoral production system by Fulani herders which dominate the dairy sub-sector. There are limited
availability of dairy production and processing technologies and facilities in these target states. Dairy
processing and marketing are not will developed with hand milking and marketing by Fulani women being a
common feature. These local women process these products into ‘nono’ (fermented milk) and yoghurt and
market these milk products in semi-urban and urban cities and in the communities. Identified key constraints
to small and medium scale dairy farming were lack of suitable improved breeds of dairy cattle, lack of modern
dairy technologies and facilities, and dearth of such infrastructure as electricity and access road network. Other
constraints include the poor socio-economic status of dairy farmers, poor input supply and distribution system,
lack of credit facilities and insufficient institutional support. In order to promote the development and
commercialization of the dairy sub-sector, it is recommended that there should be sustained provision of dairy
technologies, technical and business advisory services to dairy farmers, modern market development and
facilitation and capacity build/training of dairy producers and processors. There is the need for institutional
and infrastructural support and development of a strong public-private partnership (PPP) for enhanced business
environment and private sector participation