Abstract

This study evaluates the socioeconomic impact of dairy farming on rural communities in Nigeria, with a specific focus on the Accelerated Livestock Development and Dairy Nigeria (ALDDN) Program. The study adopts a mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative data from 899 respondents across multiple states with qualitative insights from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Using the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) framework alongside descriptive and inferential statistics, the study assesses income generation, gender empowerment, resource access, and livelihood outcomes. Findings reveal that the program has significantly improved household income, milk production, and women’s participation in productive decision-making, with 96.3% of women demonstrating empowerment in this domain. However, substantial gaps persist in asset ownership, access to credit, market participation, and leadership roles, with women disproportionately disadvantaged. Additionally, high workload burdens and limited leisure time highlight ongoing issues of time poverty, particularly among women. While the program has strengthened dairy value chains and enhanced rural livelihoods, socio-cultural barriers and structural inequalities continue to constrain equitable benefits. The study concludes that dairy farming holds strong potential for rural transformation but requires more inclusive, gender-sensitive policies and targeted interventions to ensure sustainable and equitable development outcomes.