The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) has made notable progress in cattle breeding after successfully crossing White Fulani cows with foreign breeds to boost milk production. The development marks a major step in its efforts to improve Nigeria’s dairy output through scientific and genetic innovation.
Programme Leader for the NAPRI Dairy Research Programme, Dr Na’imatu A. Sani, said the success achieved through this crossbreeding process aligns with the institute’s national mandate to improve indigenous cattle productivity.
Speaking on the development, she explained that “a crossbred cow developed at NAPRI through the crossing of White Fulani cows with exotic breeds currently produces up to 15 litres of milk per day, compared to the 3–4 litres typically produced by indigenous breeds.” She described the result as one of the institute’s strongest breakthroughs in local dairy development.
According to Dr Na’imatu, the NAPRI Dairy Research Programme has also recorded additional progress in milk production through what she called simple but effective managerial interventions. She said the average milk yield increased from five litres to seven litres per cow per day among the institute’s crossbred cows.
The programme leader explained that this improvement was due to better water management and feeding systems. “We improved the quality and accessibility of water through repairs of the existing water system and by providing additional watering points,” she stated.
She added that the noticeable improvement in the quality of NAPRI yoghurt over the past month was a direct result of increased milk production at the NAPRI dairy farm and the improved quality of milk supplied by vendors. Dr Na’imatu described NAPRI yoghurt as the cheapest 100 percent fresh cow milk yoghurt in Nigeria, saying, “Milk quality directly determines the quality of yoghurt produced.”
She disclosed that NAPRI has now set a target to increase on-farm milk production by 200 percent in 2026 through affordable and impactful dairy research driven by its team of researchers and technical staff. “In line with this, the management has purchased an additional F1 breeding bull from Arla Farms to enhance crossbreeding,” she said.
Dr Na’imatu revealed that within the past month, the programme had already achieved about 50 percent of this target. “Increased milk production by cows will further reduce production costs and enhance affordability of dairy products to the public in line with the core mandate of our programme and the institute at large,” she added.
She also disclosed that NAPRI was working towards starting bottled water production after plans were made to repair the previously non-functional bottling lines.
However, she listed poor power supply, lack of internet facilities, dilapidated infrastructure, and inadequate research funding as some of the major challenges faced by the programme. Dr Na’imatu expressed appreciation to the NAPRI leadership for its continuous support in helping the programme meet its goals.
