FG seeks stakeholders’ partnership on livestock production
The federal government has called for stakeholders’ partnership to ensure increased livestock production in the country. The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Muhktar, made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the Northern Nigeria Livestock Summit with the theme ‘Livestock Management Practices in the 21st Century’. The minister, who was represented by a director […]
The federal government has called for stakeholders’ partnership to ensure increased livestock production in the country.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Muhktar, made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the Northern Nigeria Livestock Summit with the theme ‘Livestock Management Practices in the 21st Century’.
The minister, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Abdulkareem Durosilorun, applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the creation of the Ministry of Livestock aimed at tapping into the hidden but vast economic benefits.
Muhktar, who said livestock accounted for about 6 per cent of Nigeria Gross Domestic Product (GDP), added that the industry provides employment to millions of people mostly in rural areas.
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“The livestock industry is a significant contribution to the Nigerian economy. The industry plays crucial role in food security, providing a significant portion of the country protein requirements.”
The minister also highlighted challenges bedeviling the industry which includes low productivity, disease outbreak, limited access to finance and climate change.
He, however, said these challenges can be addressed through improved breeding practices, sustainable feeding practices, interpreted disease management and digital technologies.
On partnership with stakeholders, the minister said the private sector has a bigger role like investment in infrastructure, provision of inputs, training/capacity building programmes for livestock farmers and market access for livestock farmers.
The two-day summit brought together participants from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.