Galvanizing support for a thriving livestock sector

Inadequate supply of grains, forage pasture and animal feeds has been identified as critical constraint across livestock production enterprises, exacerbated by widespread smuggling across borders.

Stakeholders in the livestock sector, who raised this concern at a consultative workshop organised by the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee (PLRIC) in Abuja, added that stricter measures should be implemented to curb smuggling, while regulated importation should be allowed to stabilise supply. They also recommended comprehensive national feed security programme.

The workshop was organised to create opportunity for engagement with stakeholders along the various livestock value chains and elicit their input in the livestock reform process. Declared opened by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who doubles as Chairman of the committee, the workshop drew wide range of stakeholders across the livestock value chains, with over 400 stakeholders, including Governors, Ministers and Traditional rulers.

At the end of the event, through a communiqué, signed the Co-Chairman of the PLRIC, Prof Attahiru Jega, the stakeholders recommended that existing policies should be strengthened, where there are none, policies should be developed, and where there are gaps, such policies should be revised.

“PLRIC should collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including government and other actors at the Federal, State and Local Council levels to streamline regulations to avoid overlap to support investment in the livestock sector.

“The workshop identified constraints due to multiple taxation and recommends a unified digital taxation system by engaging the Presidential Tax Reform committee; there is the need to strengthen security and attract investments in livestock value chains; the workshop recommends strengthening of the existing National Animal Identification and Traceability (NAIT) System to address insecurity and market standards for livestock products,” the communiqué read.

They also recommended strengthening of existing animal health infrastructure in line with global One-Health initiative; suggesting that at the take-off of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), a Department of Livestock Extension and Innovation should be domiciled in the ministry to cater for specialised livestock extension needs with a policy framework to guide the development of a robust livestock extension service delivery system.

“There is the need to develop a targeted policy framework to address climate change impacts on livestock production and integrate climate-smart practices across all livestock sub-sectors; the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development should provide a framework for effective management of conflicts between farmers and herders at state, LGA, District and community levels, with clear financing mechanisms for its operations.

“There is the need to have a robust livestock data and genetic resource conservation infrastructure (gene banks, genetic stock improvement etc) for sustainable livestock sector; the management of waste generated from the production process of the livestock value chains should be adequately planned for its conversion to wealth e.g. dungs to manure and biogas, feather hydrolysis for protein production, blood for blood meal production for poultry to mention but a few; FMLD should note the importance of livestock mechanisation across its value chains and properly domicile its functions within the ministry.

“The establishment of National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) should be explored for funding animal agriculture value chain and allied activities; insurance coverage for livestock investment is very important and should be implemented; and a rapid response team and an expert working group should be established for the livestock sector to work with other relevant agencies in times of disaster,” the communiqué read in part.

Earlier, after the opening ceremony, a presentation of the overview of the committee activities and deliverables was made by the Co-Chairman of PLRIC, Prof Jega. Thereafter, Technical Sessions were held, where stakeholders were split into 11 thematic areas

Thematic Area 1 is on reforms in the ruminant animal sub- sector; thematic Area 2: reforms in the dairy sub-sector; thematic Area 3: reforms in the poultry sub-sector; thematic Area 4: reform in the swine sub-sector; thematic Area 5: reforms in the micro-livestock sub-sector; and thematic Area 6: reforms in the animal health sub-sector.

Thematic Area 7 is on reforms in the livestock extension and advisory services sub-sector; thematic Area 8: reforms in the animal feed, pasture and range management sub-sector; thematic Area 9: reforms in breed improvement and animal genetic resources management; thematic Area 10: dispute resolution and peace-building mechanisms; and thematic Area 11 on climate actions in the livestock sector.

While expressing appreciation to the President for the establishment of the ministry, the ministers, governors, traditional rulers, agriculture donor working group, and all stakeholders for their active participation, the workshop said the work of the committee continues, adding that engagement with stakeholders will also be continuous.