The construction of Damau Household Milk Farm for 1,000 herdsmen in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State has commenced.
The 8,200-hectare farm is expected to settle 1,000 herders in the area.
It is a cattle value chain project, that will provide cattle, milk, animal feed, and meat when completed.
The project is sponsored by the Kaduna State Government, Arla group, and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association.
The project consultant, Abubakar Abdulkadir said in Kaduna that the state government had so far provided land, roads, and bridges, adding that the government would also build schools, clinics, and markets.
He said that one of the sponsors, Arla Global Dairy Company Limited would provide the technical expertise required for the project.
According to him, work on the farm was delayed, due to the non release of funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria through its Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme window.
Abdulkadir noted that in spite of the hitch, the Arla group had already started construction of demonstration farms of 400 hectares, to rear cows and grow grasses for the feeds.
“The project is progressing while the construction of 200 homes will soon commence; veterinary clinics, primary health care facilities, cattle pens, schools, and markets in each of the five districts.
“Tender for houses has been done and all the analysis. We are waiting to award the tenders soon as the funds are available.
“The houses will be two-bedroom flat for each farmer, there is going to be schools, health, and skills acquisition centers and markets, all with modern facilities.
“The project is a unique one with great opportunities, which has never been done anywhere else and can impact the common man right down the line,” Abdulkadir said.
The Damau cattle farm is located close to Galma dam, which will serve as the main water point for cattle and families.