The Nigerian Federal Government (FG) has embarked on nationwide direct stakeholders’ engagement initiative aimed at boosting awareness on livestock production and it’s value chain.
Westernmirror.com.ng reports that this effort is part of the FG’s strategy to enhance productivity, improve food security, and strengthen Nigeria’s Livestock sector.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, brings together key players in the livestock industry, including farmers, herders, processors, and marketers.
The Minster of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar, disclosed at the stakeholders meeting that the goal of the nationwide engagement is to deepen collaboration, address industry challenges, and promote best practices that will enhance efficiency and sustainability in the sector.
Speaking yesterday after meeting with stakeholders in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, the Minister emphasized the importance of the livestock sector, describing it as a 31 trillion worth of business in the Nigeria’s economy waiting to be explored.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the President Bola Tinubu government’s commitment to modernizing agriculture, improving livestock production, and reducing conflicts between farmers and herders.
He stated that the stakeholders engagement in Oyo state was part of his ongoing different nationwide tour to inspect livestock facilities such as cattle, poultry, piggery, goatery, sheep, and cotton.
He added that his mission on the tour also includes meeting with executive governors of various states to discuss ways of collaboration geared towards up-scaling livestock production at sub national level.
The Minister explained that the FG’s awareness initiative is designed to educate stakeholders on modern livestock practices, disease control, breeding techniques, and access to markets while promoting investment opportunities in areas such as animal feed production, and dairy processing among others.
He emphasized that a well-structured livestock value chain can significantly increase farmers’ incomes and enhance Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in meat and dairy production.
“My coming to Oyo state is part of my ongoing tour of different sub nationals to inspect livestock facilities in terms of major farms; poultry, piggery, sheep, goat, cotton, as well as engage the executive governors to see areas of collaboration where we can meet and upscale the feeding of livestock at those sub nationals and to hold stakeholders engagement as you have witnessed today where all practitioners and players along the livestock value chain.
“The meeting here has been very engaging and productive. We’re getting a lot of feelers from those who are actually running those value chains. People came from as far as Lagos, Ondo and from here in Oyo state.
“After coming to Oyo, that won’t be all for the south west, we’re not stopping here, I have intention of visiting every state governor and engage with stakeholders because the value chain cuts across the entire country. Every family today in Nigeria, from Abeokuta to Sokoto to Calabar, there’s an element of livestock in those families and they’re part of my own constituency. We want to talk to them, engage them, feel from them, so that we know what policies to come up with in this transformative journey in the livestock sector,” The Minister said.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi, described the stakeholders engagement as a huge success and expressed appreciation to participants for the robust and insightful discussions during the meeting.
He pleaded with livestock farmers to fully key into the transformative agenda of the president by cooperating with federal government through the ministry in its stride to addressing industry challenges, enhance productivity and boost livestock value chain across the country.
He emphasized that the ministry, which was primarily created to address challenges arising from farmers/herders clashes and livestock production in the country is poised to explore all possible ways to achieve its mandate including direct stakeholders engagement, sensitization and awareness initiatives and provision of support programs for industry players.
“For over 60 years, Nigerians have clamored for a ministry or tend to the livestock issues that we have been facing. And we must commend our President for his wisdom, vision and foresight to create this ministry. Now Mr President has done the hardest part by creating the ministry, it’s now up to all of us to come together to ensure that this ministry is a success,” Abiola-Ajimobi said.
Industry stakeholders present at the event have welcomed the federal government’s initiative and effort, highlighting the need for policies that address security concerns and access to finance especially for small scale livestock farmers.
Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar, Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Oyo state chapter, praised the initiative, noting that proper engagement and sensitization programs will help address long-standing challenges in the sector while acknowledging the importance of transformative change in their ways and approach to livestock production.
Also, Alhaji Yaqub Bello, a former chairman of MACBAN in Oyo state, thanked the Minister for bringing the stakeholders engagement to their doorstep in Ibadan. He welcomed the initiative and urged all stakeholders to work together in the interest of the nation’s economy. Appealed for continuous stakeholders engagement and sensitization to abreast industry players with the right approach and techniques to livestock production in line with global best practice.
Similarly, Adewunmi Abass Adekunle, Chairman Oyo State Farmers Association, expressed optimism that the initiative will address industry challenges, and boost livestock production while calling on industry players and stakeholders to shun all forms of divisiveness and unite to grow the nation’s economy through the sector.