The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has pledged the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to addressing the challenges in Nigeria’s livestock industry.
This assurance came during a courtesy visit by the Northeast Commercial Dairy Producers Association, who congratulated the Minister on his appointment and presented key concerns impacting the sector.
Speaking during the visit, the association’s spokesperson, Dr. Adamu, Resident Veterinary Doctor at Gwagwalada, highlighted pressing issues such as insecurity, poor infrastructure, and land conversion, which have hindered the sector’s progress.
He noted, “The insecurity in the nation has caused many dairy farms to shut down, while others with the passion to establish new farms are hesitant due to safety concerns. Additionally, lands earmarked for agricultural purposes are being changed to other non-agricultural uses, which undermine efforts to enhance food security.”
Dr. Adamu also drew attention to the scarcity of vaccines, challenges with importation regulations, and the absence of modern veterinary laboratories. He urged the Ministry to address these issues while suggesting measures such as empowering agro-rangers, installing solar-powered lamps for farm security, and implementing tracking systems to deter cattle rustling.
In his response, the Minister commended the farmers for their resilience.
Maiha further reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priority on food security and economic growth, noting that the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development underscores this commitment.
He assured the association of the government’s resolve to improve security in livestock settlements by collaborating with security agencies and promoting innovative solutions such as animal tagging and tracking for ease of identification.
The Minister harped on the importance of strategic partnerships with institutions like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) to enhance enhance ease of doing business and the creation of Green Zones for livestock processing.
“We need to be innovative in addressing these challenges. Farmers must also take steps to create databases of their farms for better resource allocation and effective communication with the Ministry,” the Minister advised.
He further explained plans to regulate the importation of foreign animal species to safeguard public health and ensure global market competitiveness and encourage a sustainable and prosperous livestock industry in Nigeria.
