The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has announced plans to collaborate with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) on the use of locally fabricated stover chopper machines that convert crop residues into animal feed with up to 90 percent utilization efficiency.
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhta Maiha, made this known when he received a delegation from ICRISAT in his office in Abuja on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. He said the initiative aims to enhance livestock productivity and promote sustainable agriculture in Nigeria through innovative feed solutions and technology-driven farming practices.
Maiha explained that the partnership will focus on crop-livestock integration, machinery accessibility, and the strengthening of extension services to support agricultural growth. “People can take the grains, the foliage, and the residue, everything can be turned into animal feed,” the Minister said. He added that agricultural challenges can be turned into opportunities through collaboration between farmers, researchers, and policymakers.
The Minister encouraged ICRISAT to start by utilizing existing crop varieties before expanding into grass and pasture cultivation that can work in synergy with crop residue utilization. He further called on the Institute to intensify sensitization among farmers and rural stakeholders using local languages, emphasizing that the adoption of residue-based feed is a cost-effective and sustainable option for livestock owners.
Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to agricultural development, Maiha revealed that discussions are ongoing with state governors to strengthen livestock projects across the country. “We are commencing with five grazing reserves across Adamawa, Plateau, the FCT, and other selected states,” he stated.
In his remarks, Dr. Ignatius Ijantiku Angarawai, Senior Scientist for Sorghum Breeding and ICRISAT Country Representative for Nigeria, said that in collaboration with Crop Mandate NARES, the Institute has developed dual-purpose sorghum and millet varieties that can benefit farmers and feed producers.
He added that research results have shown that birds fed with Kaura sorghum recorded an 8-kilogram weight gain compared to those fed with maize, making sorghum a strong substitute in poultry feed production. Dr. Angarawai reaffirmed ICRISAT’s readiness to support the Nigeria Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy through extension programs and policy framework development for staffing and recruitment within the livestock sector.