FG Unveils Livestock Development Centres to Drive $74bn Sector by 2035

 

"The centres would not be government farms or mere construction projects, but integrated commercial platforms linking producers and investors to enterprises including breeding, feed production, dairy, meat processing, abattoirs, cold-chain facilities, logistics, leather production, biogas and organic fertiliser." Maiha

..... Assures stakeholders that the Ministry would continue to work with relevant partners to accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.

..... Ifentifies inadequate genetics, shortage of feed and water, land administration challenges, weak veterinary and extension services, insecurity, poor infrastructure and logistics, as well as limited private-sector investment as major obstacles to livestock development.

Nigeria's Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha has unveiled plans by the Federal Government to establish commercially driven Livestock Development Centres across the states as part of efforts to transform Nigeria’s livestock industry and raise its contribution to the national economy to at least $74 billion by 2035.

Maiha revealed this on Friday during a ministerial briefing with key stakeholders that included the Federal, State and Private Sector in the livestock chain which held at the Conference Hall Veterinary Council of Nigeria Headquarters in Abuja.

According to the Minister, "the proposed centres would bring together the Federal Government, state governments and private investors to develop livestock value chains based on the comparative advantages, ecological conditions and market opportunities of individual states.

He stressed that the centres would not be government farms or mere construction projects, but integrated commercial platforms linking producers and investors to enterprises including breeding, feed production, dairy, meat processing, abattoirs, cold-chain facilities, logistics, leather production, biogas and organic fertiliser.

According to the minister, the initiative is anchored on the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), a 10-pillar roadmap approved by the National Economic Council to tackle longstanding challenges and attract large-scale private investment into the sector.

He said NL-GAS seeks to increase the livestock sector’s contribution to the economy from about $32 billion to at least $74 billion by 2035, while addressing gaps in animal health, feed, water, finance, infrastructure, extension services, peacebuilding, data management and the participation of women and youths.

Maiha identified inadequate genetics, shortage of feed and water, land administration challenges, weak veterinary and extension services, insecurity, poor infrastructure and logistics, as well as limited private-sector investment as major obstacles to livestock development.

He argued that the challenges required coordinated action by all tiers of government and the private sector, noting that the Federal Government would focus on policies, technical standards, animal health, food safety, traceability, data management and investment facilitation, while states would provide land, local infrastructure, community mobilisation and security coordination.

The minister disclosed that the number of states with dedicated livestock ministries or agencies had risen from three to 20 since the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024, describing the development as evidence of growing institutional commitment to the sector.

He also raised concern over the imbalance between livestock production in northern Nigeria and major consumer markets in the South, saying the long-distance transportation of live animals increases costs and exposes the industry to security and supply risks.

Maiha therefore called for demand-driven state investment plans that would enable states to develop livestock species and value chains suited to their comparative advantages.

He said the initiative would also prioritise women and youths through enterprise ownership, skills development, technology access, value addition and job creation.

The minister expressed confidence that the Federal-State-private sector partnership would create a more productive, peaceful and commercially viable livestock industry while promoting rural development, wealth creation and food and nutrition security.

Earlier, veterinary professionals and scholars commended the minister and Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, for their leadership, presenting both officials with awards in recognition of their commitment to livestock development.

Receiving the award, Maiha assured stakeholders that the ministry would continue to work with relevant partners to accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.