The World Bank, through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, has secured support from the Israeli government to boost pasture production for livestock feeds in Nigeria.
The World Bank Task Team Leader for the L-PRES project, Dr. Chidozie Anyiniro, while speaking at the workshop on technologies for sustainable pasture management yesterday in Abuja, disclosed that the Bank had secured a Trust
Fund from the Israeli government to share innovations to enhance pasture production in Nigeria.
According to him, this will, in turn, increase livestock productivity, mitigate the impact of farmers’ and herders’ conflicts, and enable Nigerians to view pasture production as a viable business.
He highlighted technologies such as irrigation and productivity-enhancing methods, stating that these will help Nigerians learn how to produce pasture in semi-arid or arid regions.
The National Project Coordinator for L-PRES, Sanusi Abubakar, mentioned that in livestock, water and pasture are two key drivers of conflict, and that the project is exploring technologies to improve pasture production.
He disclosed that several countries have expressed interest in showcasing their technologies, including Brazil, the Netherlands, and Israel, among others. “We are showcasing the technologies from Israel to about 20 states participating in L-PRES so that farmers can adopt these methods to improve their practices,” he added.
Sanusi stated that the aim is for states to adopt these technologies to boost pasture production. “Our plan is to commercialise pasture so that livestock owners will begin to buy pastures in the same way feeds are purchased for poultry, thereby reducing the rate of conflict,” he explained.
The Minister of Livestock Productivity, Alh. Idi Muktar Maiha, noted that given the pressing challenges — from overgrazing and climate stress to rising tensions over scarce pasture resources — it has become clear that innovation and collaboration are our most effective tools.
He remarked that pursuing sustainable pasture management is not merely an agricultural matter but a pathway towards environmental stewardship, social stability, and economic resilience.
The Minister, who was represented by Mr. Ishaq Bello, stated that the involvement of local and international stakeholders—including farmers, researchers, policymakers, and development partners—reinforces a shared commitment to transforming rangeland management practices in Nigeria’s arid and semi-arid zones.
Representing the Israeli government, Daniel Werner, head of foreign relations and international cooperation at Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, pledged support for Nigeria’s livestock development.
“Pasture lands are facing new threats from overgrazing and climate change, we are proud to share Israel’s innovative solutions to help Nigeria restore these ecosystems and build sustainable livestock systems,” Werner said.
