FG ready to strengthen livestock sector in Nigeria – Minister

The Minister addressing the stakeholders

Minister of Livestock Development, Dr Idi Maiha, has hinted that the federal government is determined to strengthen the livestock sector in Nigeria.

Addressing stakeholders during an engagement held in Ibadan on Sunday evening, the Minister said livestock sector stands as a N31trillion worth of business in the Nigeria’s economy waiting to be explored.

Dr Maiha pointed out that this is part of the federal government’s efforts towards enhancing the productivity and ensure food sufficiency in the country as well as nationwide stakeholders’ engagement initiative aimed at boosting awareness on livestock production and it’s value chain.

According to the minister, government’s awareness initiative was 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.

The minister emphasised that the stakeholders will deepen collaboration among major players as well as address industry challenges, and promote best practices that will enhance efficiency and sustainability in the sector.

“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 with all practitioners and players along the livestock value chain”, he said.

Dr Maiha added, “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.”

“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”, he said.

Mr Ajimobi added, “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.”