Nigeria, South Africa Partner to Revamp Red Meat Industry, Target Export Market

"Nigeria is interested in learning from South Africa’s experience in livestock development, including government policies, dairy production, animal health, pharmaceuticals, disease surveillance, logistics, feed and fodder development and meat standardisation." Maiha

.... Says "the collaboration, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, will focus on livestock genetics, red meat production, meat grading and classification, agribusiness development, knowledge exchange and technology transfer."

The Federal Government has commenced discussions with South African institutions and private-sector stakeholders on a strategic partnership aimed at transforming Nigeria’s red meat industry and positioning the country to compete more effectively in the international market.

The collaboration, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, will focus on livestock genetics, red meat production, meat grading and classification, agribusiness development, knowledge exchange and technology transfer.

The engagement in Abuja brought together Livestock Genetics Africa Limited, Waymaker Trade Solutions of South Africa, the South African Meat Industry Company (SAMIC) and the North-West University Business School (NWUBS), South Africa.

Speaking during the meeting, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the partnership was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition the livestock sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with emphasis on food security, productivity, job creation, economic growth and expanded market opportunities.

Maiha said Nigeria needed to develop an integrated and commercially viable red meat value chain covering feed and fodder production, animal health, transportation, cow-calf operations, feedlotting and other critical components.

“If we are going to operationalise an agro-tourism and livestock production system, we need backward integration, feedlotting, feed and fodder, animal health, transportation and cow-calf operations, among other critical components,” the minister said.

He said knowledge transfer would form a major component of the proposed partnership, including opportunities for Nigerian students, livestock professionals and other stakeholders to undertake study visits to South Africa and gain practical exposure to modern livestock production systems.

Maiha said Nigeria was interested in learning from South Africa’s experience in livestock development, including government policies, dairy production, animal health, pharmaceuticals, disease surveillance, logistics, feed and fodder development and meat standardisation.

He added that the Federal Government was already taking steps to modernise livestock infrastructure through the development of modern abattoirs, veterinary hospitals and other facilities, while improving access to finance and reducing trade barriers.

The Manager of NWUBS, Oarabile Manyaapelo, said sustained collaboration between government, universities, industry experts and private-sector stakeholders could help build a more productive, commercially viable and export-ready Nigerian red meat industry.

Manyaapelo identified genetics and nutrition as critical to improving productivity and profitability, stressing that improved genetics must be combined with appropriate nutrition and efficient production systems.

He also highlighted meat grading and classification as essential for accessing premium international markets, particularly in the Middle East.

According to him, internationally recognised grading systems could improve consumer confidence, establish the value of meat based on quality and characteristics, and enhance Nigeria’s access to lucrative export markets.

“The big thing for us as a business school is the business model. How do we integrate all of these variables to help reconfigure the business models in the red meat industry?” he asked.

The Chief Operating Officer of Livestock Genetics Africa Limited, Abdulrahman Barkinfo, said the partnership would enable Nigeria to review existing cattle production methods and adopt improved production and business models capable of producing higher-quality animals within shorter production cycles.

The meeting also featured virtual presentations by South African partners and contributions from officials of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

The ministry said the partnership would complement ongoing efforts to build a modern, productive and globally competitive livestock sector capable of strengthening food security, creating jobs and contributing more significantly to Nigeria’s economic development.