The Federal Government has announced plans to begin fodder production across Nigeria as part of a push for climate-smart livestock production and reduced movement by herders.
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development disclosed this on Monday, 19 January 2026, during a meeting with the ILRI–GATES Livestock Feed and Nutrition Project Team. Discussions at the meeting focused on how ruminant feeding systems influence methane emissions and climate change.
The Minister explained that emissions from cattle and other ruminants are largely driven by fermentation linked to high-fibre feeds. He stressed the need for Nigeria to shift towards protein-rich and climate-resilient feed options that support productivity while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
“Feed and fodder is our number one priority,” the Minister said. “If animals are fed properly and kept healthy, even our indigenous breeds can perform optimally. Nomadism today is not about culture; it is a survival mechanism driven by scarcity. If we provide abundance where people are, movement will reduce.”
According to him, the government will activate large-scale fodder production nationwide using solar-powered irrigation systems, micro earth dams, and basic infrastructure within designated grazing reserves. He added that six pilot states, Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, have been selected for national communal ranches.
The Minister stated that land allocation in the pilot areas is expected before the next rainy season. “This is no longer about theory. It is time for boots on the ground,” he said, noting that Nigeria has sufficient land, political will, and partnerships to transform the livestock sector while addressing climate change and security concerns.
Speaking on behalf of the ILRI–GATES Livestock Feed and Nutrition Project, Programme Leader Dr. Anu Frank-Lawale welcomed the initiative and pledged full support. “What you have outlined aligns directly with the core components of this project,” he said.
Dr. Frank-Lawale explained that the project is built around four components, including the use of crop residues, fermented protein feeds as alternatives to conventional protein sources, climate-resilient forages, and mycotoxin assessment in animal feeds across Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
“Our goal is to increase milk production, create jobs, improve profitability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, this will enhance food security, livelihoods, and climate efficiency,” he said.
ILRI Country Representative Dr. Tunde Amole added that the project prioritises deploying tested solutions rather than theoretical research. He said proven forage cultivars suitable for the Sahel would be introduced and scaled once validated.
“Methane emissions are not simply an animal issue, they are a feed issue,” he said, adding that the project will focus on solutions, climate-resilient forages, alternative protein sources, safe feeds, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
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