Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has given a provisional nod to the establishment of a cutting-edge dairy farm in the state. The approval came following a meeting between Governor Otti and the management of Blue Ribbon Limited, led by Sir Idris Wabara.
Highlighting the importance of the dairy farm, Kazie Uko, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Governor Otti stressed its potential to bolster economic growth while phasing out outdated practices. He assured the company of his government’s commitment to exploring the proposal further.
Sir Idris Wabara, speaking on behalf of Blue Ribbon Limited, outlined their plan to collaborate with Afimilk, an Israeli agricultural company, in setting up the dairy farm. Wabara emphasized the project’s significance in enhancing Abia’s agricultural sector and reducing reliance on imported dairy products.
“We want to feed the local market with milk, conserve foreign currency, and train our people. The Israelis are keen on training our people in local expertise, ensuring a win-win situation for the country,” Wabara stated.
He clarified that the project is distinct from RUGA or cattle rearing, focusing solely on producing high-quality milk to meet local demands. Wabara cited successful implementations of similar projects in states like Kaduna, Ekiti, and Oyo, underscoring the need for Abia to seize this opportunity.
“We bring in world-class cattle, we produce world-class milk,” he affirmed.
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Wabara also emphasized the project’s potential to generate revenue, create jobs, and stimulate economic activity in Abia. He urged the government to support the initiative by facilitating land availability for the project.
In conclusion, the proposed dairy farm represents a step towards enhancing Abia’s agricultural productivity and promoting nutritional security for its populace. With the governor’s approval-in-principle, the project is poised to usher in a new era of agricultural development in the state.
