The Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has said that arrangements have been concluded to accelerate the implementation of the National Ranching Policy to improve livestock production, reduce insecurity, and promote economic prosperity across the country.
He made this known at a stakeholders’ engagement and poultry summit organised by poultry farmers in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Mr. Maiha explained that despite Nigeria’s huge livestock potential, the country had not fully harnessed the sector’s benefits due to poor coordination until 2024. He noted that the Federal Government is now taking deliberate steps to reposition the industry.
According to him, the government is implementing policies aimed at increasing livestock’s contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 74 billion dollars from the current 32 billion dollars through the establishment of National Livestock Centres.
He said the centres are expected to optimise livestock production across value chains, guarantee food security, and help curb the farmers–herders crisis in the country.
In his address, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Afeez Alabi, assured participants of sustained government intervention in the sector.
The governor pledged continued support for farmers through training, access to improved inputs, biosecurity measures, veterinary services, and livestock business value chains. He also stressed the importance of promoting innovation, sustainability, and collaboration within the industry.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association in Kwara State, Mr. Sanusi Kolapo, said the programme was designed to expose poultry farmers to modern equipment and improved production methods. He appealed to both the Federal and State Governments to support poultry farmers to enable them to provide affordable and quality protein for Nigerians.
Also speaking, the Kwara State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, stressed the importance of youth empowerment through agriculture. According to her, there is no reason Nigerian students should graduate unemployed, adding that the livestock sector is well positioned to create jobs and drive economic growth in the state.
