Arla Foods Deepens Dairy Innovation with Second Open Day at Arla-Dano Farm in Kaduna

Arla Foods, the global dairy cooperative and producer of Dano Milk, is hosting the second edition of its Open Day at the Arla-Dano Farm in Damau, Kaduna State, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, skills development, and sustainability in Nigeria’s dairy sector.

This year’s event highlights two major milestones: the commissioning of Arla’s new yoghurt factory in Damau and the company’s continued investment in strengthening technical expertise within Nigeria’s dairy value chain. The new facility will produce yoghurt made entirely from fresh milk sourced directly from the Arla-Dano Farm and nearby Damau farms without milk powder or preservatives advancing Nigeria’s goal of local milk processing and self-sufficiency.

For a country still reliant on dairy imports, Arla’s initiative underscores the crucial role of private-sector investment in boosting food security and rural livelihoods. Beyond infrastructure, the company is tackling another challenge, the shortage of skilled professionals in modern dairy farming.

Through the Open Day, Arla invites policymakers, agricultural experts, students, and farmers to learn from hands-on demonstrations and engage directly with veterinarians, farm managers, and production specialists on sustainable milk production, animal welfare, and feed optimisation.

“Investing in people is just as important as investing in agriculture. The Open Day provides a space for knowledge sharing, for farmers, students, relevant stakeholders and policymakers to see how innovation and local participation can shape a stronger dairy future for Nigeria,” said Peder Pedersen, Managing Director of Arla Foods Nigeria.

“Having spent decades in dairy farming, I see this Open Day as an opportunity to demystify modern dairy systems and show that technical excellence is within reach. With our new yoghurt facility now part of the ecosystem, the farm is evolving beyond milk production into a hub for innovation, skills transfer, and sustainable growth,” added Snorri Sigurdsson, Raw Milk Production Senior Manager, Arla Nigeria.

The Arla-Dano Farm, home to hundreds of Holstein-Friesland cattle, is equipped with modern milking, cooling, and feeding systems that boost productivity while ensuring high animal welfare standards. Through partnerships and farmer training programmes, Arla continues to empower local farmers, enhance milk yields, and integrate smallholders into formal value chains.

As Nigeria advances its journey toward a resilient and inclusive food economy, Arla’s Open Day stands as a model of how innovation, skill-building, and collaboration can turn agricultural ambition into action.