The Federal Government has partnered with the African Union-InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources to enhance Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The collaboration aims to increase the country’s cattle population, currently standing at 20.76 million, and generate employment opportunities in the industry.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of African Pastoral Market Development (APMD)’s platform Technical Work Planning and Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in Abuja, yesterday, Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi noted that Nigeria has immense potentials for livestock development given its natural endowment in livestock population, suitable/favourable climate and vegetation, and a long standing culture of animal husbandry by pastoralists in the country.
The country’s livestock resources include 21.2 million cattle, 76.3 million goats, and 48.6 million sheep. These resources contribute significantly to animal protein supply, foreign exchange, and raw materials for agro-allied industries, according to TheNation.
However, smallholder farmers face challenges due to inadequate market information, allowing middlemen to capture most of the profit margin. To address this, pastoralists are encouraged to form cooperative societies to pool resources, access quality inputs, and secure loans.
The AU-IBAR-led African Pastoral Market Development platform seeks to bolster the livestock sector and safeguard rural incomes. The platform’s objectives include promoting collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth opportunities.
Nigeria and Kenya have been identified as “Lighthouse Countries” for the APMD platform’s initial implementation. Six additional Strategic Outreach Countries will benefit from the lessons learned during this phase. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provides financial backing and strategic collaboration for the initiative.
The APMD platform’s three primary pillars are an enabling policy environment, functional data ecosystem, and private-sector integration. Experts and stakeholders from Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, and Chad gathered for the APMD platform’s technical work planning and stakeholder engagement workshop in Abuja.
The collaboration aims to foster cooperation, income generation, and entrepreneurship among socially disadvantaged groups, including pastoralists, women, and youths. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals.
He said: “Nigeria’s livestock resources include about 21.2 million cattle, 76.3 million goats, 48.6 million sheep. These farm animals greatly contribute to and facilitate the supply of animal protein, foreign exchange, raw materials for agro-allied industries which will ultimately assist to achieve Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Nigeria is a major hub of animal product consumption in West Africa and is the most important market for livestock in the sub- region.
“It is also one of the largest livestock-raising countries in the region. Meeting the ever-increasing domestic demand and access to these flourishing markets are major economic stakes for Nigeria and for the neighboring Sahel countries that raise livestock.”
“The pastoralists should form cooperative societies so that they can pool their resources together. This will go a long way in ensuring that they procure inputs like feed, vaccines, drugs etc. together from genuine sources hence better quality at a reduced cost. They could also source for loans from credit institutions under that umbrella. Expectedly, the workshop aims to enhance knowledge and exchange the successful experiences of the pastoral livestock market system in the above stated countries. It is hoped that the benefits of selecting Nigeria as the light house will promote cooperation, income generation and entrepreneurship especially among socially disadvantaged groups including pastoralists, women and youths, thus effectively contributing to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs),” he added.
The Director, AU-IBAR Dr. Huyam Salih, represented by the APMD Project Coordinator, Prof. Ahmed Eibeltagy, said the platform aims to bolster the livestock sector and safeguard rural incomes derived from meat and livestock products.
She described the APMD Platform as a beacon of hope for millions of pastoralists, saying: “The launch of the APMD Platform occurs at a pivotal moment, allowing us to address existing challenges. By promoting collaboration and innovation, we can create sustainable growth opportunities. This workshop is a crucial step towards developing strategies that empower pastoral communities and facilitate transformation.”
“As Nigeria serves as one of our leading countries, I am optimistic that the insights and success stories shared during this workshop will motivate other nations to join our efforts.
” The goal is to foster collaboration among pastoral livestock stakeholders and ensure that pastoralists can access more profitable markets while ensuring food security across Africa,” she added.
