Milk Production Assessment Systems in Northern Nigeria. A Categorical Imperative

This work identifies and assesses the zootechnical, technological, socioeconomic profiles, it also identifies and quantify benchmarks for dairy cattle production systems, a non-experimental approach is used with the aim of contributing to the sustainability and competitiveness of dairy farming in northern Nigeria. Within one year, 36 milk production systems of corporate farming and families were evaluated to identify and quantify benchmarks. The characterization of systems was done in regards to sizes, zootechnical, technological and economic profiles. Return on invested capital correlation coefficient was assessed and the regression equation developed according to four scenarios of annual return rates (4, 6, 8 and 10%). The evaluated indicators were milk production per dairy cows, per area, average price of milk, operational cost, total operating cost, total cost per price of milk and profitability. The dairy farming in Northern Nigeria pays the cost of production, but not adequate remuneration of family labour, and a need of external capital input for assets replacement. Production factors area and animals productivity showed higher correlation with a high cost-effectiveness, depicting need to increase production through increased land area and milk productivity per dairy cow. Quantification and identification of benchmarks will sure help to identify weak points of dairy farming in Northern Nigeria making it competitive and sustainable.