Nigeria, AU-IBAR join forces to modernize pastoral market

The African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) has partnered with Nigeria to revolutionize the country’s pastoral market, with far-reaching benefits for the African continent.

This strategic collaboration aims to enhance livestock productivity and trade, improve pastoralist livelihoods and resilience as well as foster regional and international cooperation.

Speaking at the First African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) Analytics and Implementers Engagement Workshop in Abuja yesterday, the Director of the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), Huyam Salih, Director of the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources, said that implementing the African Pastoral Policy Framework (APMD) demonstrates a shared dedication to transforming Africa’s pastoral sector and promoting sustainable livestock market development continent-wide.

Salih noted that this initiative aimed to enhance livestock productivity, improve pastoralist livelihoods, and foster regional cooperation.

Represented by Prof. Ahmed Elbeltagy, Project Coordinator of APMD, the Director explained that the platform embodies “our aspiration to elevate the role of pastoralism in inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, and enhanced livelihoods.”
.
He added: “Pastoral Livestock plays a pivotal role in Africa’s social and economic dimensions, providing food, income, and security for millions.

“However, the sector continues to face challenges, including climate change, limited market access, and policy gaps.

“The implementation of the APMD Platform will allow us to overcome these barriers. By fostering collaboration and embracing innovation, we can unlock new pathways for sustainable growth.

“This Analytics and Implementers workshop marks an essential step in developing the Detailed Implementation Plan and Strengthening Pastoral communities and stakeholder’s contribution to the process of sector transformation.
“We will focus in this workshop on Three main objectives: Validate the Pastoral Livestock Marketing Situation; Validate the Key Interventions based on Budget Breakdown and Priority of implementation; and Promote Stakeholder Engagement in Developing the Implementation Plans.”

Also, the Director of Animal Husbandry Services, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Winnie Lai-Solarin noted that the initiative aligns with the ministry’s goals, noting that the workshop was convened to validate pastoral livestock marketing situation as well as develop the implementation plan for APMD key interventions.

Her words: “There will be huge investments in dairy, beef, leather, poultry, folder, micro livestock, even in animal health, we are going to see increased private sector involvement in all of these.

“We are going to see a leap in livestock productivity in the country”.

Community leader Ardo Jibo from Taraba State is optimistic that the initiative will have numerous benefits, including job creation, improved livestock production, and reduced herder-farmer conflicts.

Similarly, Halima Yoman, President of Reube Fulbe Global Rights and Development Initiatives, emphasized the initiative’s potential to empower women and youth by modernizing their livestock production and providing sustainable economic opportunities.

In his intervention, Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, highlighted the sector’s significant contributions to the national economy, accounting for one-third of the agricultural sector’s 21% contribution to the national GDP.

The Emir emphasized the need for climate-smart livestock production, citing challenges such as lack of pasture and quality feed, water scarcity, land and water rights issues, and socio-economic constraints.