•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu
IBADAN – The Federal Government has commenced the nationwide stakeholders’ engagements initiative aimed at boosting awareness on livestock production and it’s value chain.
The awareness according to the Minster of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar is part of the federal government’s efforts towards enhancing the productivity and ensure food sufficiency, as well strengthen the livestock sector in the country.
While addressing stakeholders during the engagement that was held at Jagz Hotel, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the Capital City of Oyo State on Sunday, The Minister noted that the initiative is spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in order to bring together key players in the livestock industry, which includes farmers, herders, meat and dairy processors, marketers and other stakeholders in the value chain.
The Minister further disclosed that the stakeholders is to deepen collaboration among the Major players as well address industry challenges, and promote best practices that will enhance efficiency and sustainability in the sector.
The Minister who was accompanied to the meeting by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi, the auditor of the ministry, emphasized the importance of the livestock sector, describing it as a 31 trillion naira worth of business in the Nigeria’s economy waiting to be explored.
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He said, “My coming to Oyo state is part of my ongoing tour of different sub nationals to inspect livestock facilities in terms of major farms; poultry, piggery, sheep, goat, cotton, as well as engage the executive governors to see areas of collaboration where we can meet and upscale the feeding of livestock at those sub nationals and to hold stakeholders engagement as you have witnessed today where all practitioners and players along the livestock value chain.
“The meeting here has been very engaging and productive. We’re getting a lot of feelers from those who are actually running those value chains. People came from as far as Lagos, Ondo and from here in Oyo state.
“After coming to Oyo, that won’t be all for the south west, we’re not stopping here, I have intention of visiting every state governor and engage with stakeholders because the value chain cuts across the entire country. Every family today in Nigeria, from Abeokuta to Sokoto to Calabar, there’s an element of livestock in those families and they’re part of my own constituency. We want to talk to them, engage them, feel from them, so that we know what policies to come up with in this transformative journey in the livestock sector,” The Minister said.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi, described the stakeholders engagement as a huge success and expressed appreciation to participants for the robust and insightful discussions during the meeting.
He pleaded with livestock farmers to fully key into the transformative agenda of the president by cooperating with federal government through the ministry in its stride to addressing industry challenges, enhance productivity and boost livestock value chain across the country.
He emphasized that the ministry, which was primarily created to address challenges arising from farmers/herders clashes and livestock production in the country is poised to explore all possible ways to achieve its mandate including direct stakeholders engagement, sensitization and awareness initiatives and provision of support programs for industry players.
“For over 60 years, Nigerians have clamored for a ministry or tend to the livestock issues that we have been facing. And we must commend our President for his wisdom, vision and foresight to create this ministry. Now Mr President has done the hardest part by creating the ministry, it’s now up to all of us to come together to ensure that this ministry is a success,” Abiola-Ajimobi said.
Industry stakeholders present at the event have welcomed the federal government’s initiative and effort, highlighting the need for policies that address security concerns and access to finance especially for small scale livestock farmers.
Adewunmi Abass Adekunle, Chairman Oyo State All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), expressed optimism that the initiative will address industry challenges, and boost livestock production while calling on industry players and stakeholders to shun all forms of divisiveness and unite to grow the nation’s economy through the sector.
Abass said, “this is a very laudable initiative from the federal government through the ministry of Livestock Development, with the way they started, we are very hopeful that this initiative will address a lot of challenges confronting us as a farmer.
“I’m also using this medium to call on all the stakeholders to shine all forms of actions that can cause division among us, the farmers and herders, poultry and other stakeholders in livestock value chain must embrace this initiative and come together to form a strong alliance for the common interest of our country, we need to support the federal government on this initiative so we can have food, especially meat which is the source of protein in abundance in our country.” Abass said.
Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar, Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Oyo state chapter, praised the initiative, noting that proper engagement and sensitization programs will help address long-standing challenges in the sector while acknowledging the importance of transformative change in their ways and approach to livestock production.
Also, Alhaji Yaqub Bello, a former chairman of MACBAN in Oyo state, thanked the Minister for bringing the stakeholders engagement to their doorstep in Ibadan. He welcomed the initiative and urged all stakeholders to work together in the interest of the nation’s economy. Appealed for continuous stakeholders engagement and sensitization to abreast industry players with the right approach and techniques to livestock production in line with global best practice.