Nigerians must produce one-third of what they consume –Minister

The Minister of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has stated that the country’s food insecurity gap can be bridged if every household produces at least one-third of what they consume. Maiha noted that Nigeria has enormous potential to achieve food security, emphasising the need to look inwards to address the […]

The Minister of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has stated that the country’s food insecurity gap can be bridged if every household produces at least one-third of what they consume.

Maiha noted that Nigeria has enormous potential to achieve food security, emphasising the need to look inwards to address the country’s challenges.

“Everybody must go into producing at least one-third of what they eat,” he said, adding that such effort would reduce pressure on the overall food supply.

Speaking on “Ending Hunger: Food Availability and Affordability in Nigeria,” the minister outlined strategies to modernise the livestock sector and noted that the ministry was overhauling the sector, which has long been neglected, to make it contribute significantly to the economy.

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He explained that addressing hunger requires tackling both the availability and affordability of food, as these factors are essential for ensuring equitable access to nutritious meals.

“The current hunger situation in the country can be eliminated or significantly reduced by deploying the wide range of livestock resources available in Nigeria, which play a significant role in the nation’s economy, food security, and rural livelihoods,” the minister stated.

He said the livestock resources in the country provide a strong foundation for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, contributing to economic diversification and employment. Despite production challenges, these resources offer great opportunities for improved breeds, veterinary services, and the development of value-added industries like meat, dairy and leather processing.

He also emphasised that making animal-origin food more affordable requires a multifaceted approach. “We must address systemic inefficiencies, improve productivity, and enhance accessibility for consumers,” he said, stressing that by addressing these areas, the cost of animal-based foods can be reduced, making them more affordable for a larger portion of the population.

Maiha listed several strategies to achieve these goals, including improvements in livestock productivity, cost reduction, expansion of value chains, and market access.

Other strategies involve strengthening support for livestock farmers, addressing policy and governance issues, leveraging technology, promoting alternative animal protein sources, educating consumers, mitigating climate challenges, and encouraging domestic production.

The minister explained that current strategies to enhance the livestock sector are anchored on a renewed approach to key challenges, particularly the promotion of modern farming techniques.

He noted that the adoption of intensive and semi-intensive systems, such as feedlots, ranches, and dairy farms, would optimise resource use. The introduction of improved animal breeds with higher productivity and disease resistance is also a key part of the plan.

Given the challenges posed by climate change, Maiha said smart livestock farming would be promoted through the use of drought-resistant fodder crops and efficient water management systems.

He added that the federal government would encourage silvo-pastoral systems, which integrate trees, crops and livestock for sustainable land use.

The minister also highlighted the importance of improving access to veterinary services to prevent disease outbreaks and developing tailored vaccination programmes for local livestock.

To achieve significant success, Maiha stressed that investment in infrastructure, such as grazing reserves and water points in arid and semi-arid regions, is essential, adding that the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure will support pastoralists.

He also submitted that the improvement of transportation networks to enhance market access for livestock products is critical for facilitating trade in the sector.

The minister also stated that livestock production can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace. He called for policies to mediate disputes between different stakeholders, including land-use zoning and alternative livelihoods.

Maiha further explained that the training and retraining of livestock personnel and value chain operators would help provide financial support to smallholder farmers, enabling them to adopt best practices. He also emphasised the importance of establishing cooperatives and farmer out-grower schemes to facilitate access to credit and inputs.

He concluded by noting that while the livestock sector alone will not solve the problem of hunger, enhancing productivity in other sectors, such as crop production, will ensure adequate food production and supply to meet the protein and energy needs of Nigeria’s population by 2050.

“The livestock sector holds transformative potential in Nigeria’s quest to end hunger and ensure food availability and affordability,” he stated.