By Fatima Saka
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, says the Federal Government is collaborating with national and international partners to speed up transformation in the livestock sector, and the synergy was aimed at meeting up with contemporary aspirations of increased productivity.
Abubakar, who was represented by Mr Akeem Ibilade, the Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry in the ministry, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja, during the 1st National Symposium on livestock breed improvement and pasture development.
The symposium, organised by the Livestock Genetic Africa, Viking Genetics, Denmark and Arla Global, was themed ‘Harnessing Artificial Insemination and Pasture Development for Improved Livestock Productivity.’
“With emerging global climatic challenges, the need to optimise resources and increase productivity therefore arises.
“Innovative programmes such as this championed by the symposium may provide the needed inputs to leapfrog productivity, particularly in the livestock sector.
“In view of the above and taking into cognisance the fact that the livestock sector remains a major contributor to the agricultural subsector of the economy.
“The Ministry is therefore willing to cooperate with relevant stakeholders such as Livestock Genetics Africa, Viking genetics Denmark and Arla Global to ensure the attainment of the benefits of strategic partnerships as encapsulated in the 17th Goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Abubakar said.
According to him, the symposium is a welcome development and the outcome will support the attainment of the strategic goals of the initiatives and cascade development to the rural farmers.
Likewise, the President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Farouk Rabi’u-Mudi, said that embracing and adopting new technologies for milk and meat production will increase Nigeria’s GDP, while ending farmers/herdsmen clashes.
Meanwhile, Nigeria records two and a half litres per cow, while Denmark hits a total of 35 litres milk production per cow.
“That’s more than 20 times our normal production here in Nigeria.
Only 400 cows in Denmark is equivalent to 5,000 cows in Nigeria.
“I was in Denmark last year and I saw a good improvement on how we can improve our livestock, milk and beef production in Nigeria.
“Meanwhile, Denmark production has been able to increase their GDP through livestock and milk. It is a very simple technology which NIgeria can key into.
“We are already in partnership with them; open grazing is not ideal for milk production,” he said.
According to him, about 5,000 youths are going to be empowered through the system of cattle breeding; we are going to empower the women through some private sectors that are willing to fund the business.
“With this private sector, we are looking at sustainability because government policies change from time to time,” he said.
Also, Akeem Ibilade, the Deputy Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture, noted that having partners that would help our livestock development in the country is a cheering development.
“If we are talking about Pasteur development, everyone will benefit, we expect it will reduce farmers/herdsmen clashes because if the breeders have feed for their cattle, there will be no need roaming around the streets.
“This development will bring more milk and meat. We are planning on national livestock development plan to create more awareness in a few months. We have the media as partners too,” he said.
Also, Nasmir Nakas, the Founder, Livestock Genetics, expresssed happiness for partnering with Nigeria on livestock development, stressing that a great future awaits NIgeria on livestock development.
