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Stakeholders Call on the New Livestock Development Ministry to Tackle Food Insecurity in Nigeria

The recent establishment of Nigeria’s Ministry of Livestock Development has sparked discussions among key agribusiness stakeholders regarding its potential impact on food security. Industry leaders from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN) have voiced their expectations and concerns about the new ministry’s role in addressing pressing agricultural challenges.

President Bola Tinubu announced the creation of the Livestock Development Ministry on July 9, 2024, during the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms at the State House in Abuja. This move has been largely welcomed by the agricultural sector, though stakeholders are eager to see concrete plans for tackling food insecurity.

Kola Aderibigbe, Chairman of the LCCI Agro-Allied Group, expressed cautious optimism about the new ministry. “While we appreciate this development and its potential to boost the dairy industry, we’re keen to understand the ministry’s strategy for addressing food insecurity,” Aderibigbe stated. He emphasised the ongoing challenges faced by farmers, particularly regarding security issues that have hindered agricultural productivity.

Aderibigbe also raised concerns about the potential complications for integrated farmers, who may now need to navigate both the Livestock Development Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture. “This dual-agency approach could lead to confusion and increased certification costs for integrated farming operations,” he noted.

The LCCI representative highlighted the need for the new ministry to address the long-standing farmer-herder conflicts and revive the stalled ranching initiatives. Aderibigbe stressed the importance of protecting private land rights while tapping into the country’s multi-billion-dollar dairy farming potential through modern ranching practices.

CODARAN President Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar, who also serves as CEO of L&Z Integrated Farms and a member of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms, welcomed the ministry’s creation. He emphasised that realising the full potential of dairy and livestock farming requires dedicated focus beyond a department within the Agriculture Ministry.

Abubakar outlined CODARAN’s vision to meet national demand for dairy products and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imports, which reached $1.5 billion annually in 2023, according to the National Biotechnology Development Agency. “A dedicated ministry is crucial to driving this ambitious goal,” Abubakar stated.

The stakeholders’ comments come amid challenges in the broader livestock sector. The Poultry Association of Nigeria recently reported that over 30% of poultry farms in the country have ceased operations in the past six months due to rising operational costs, contributing to a sharp increase in egg prices.

As the new Livestock Development Ministry takes shape, industry leaders are calling for collaboration between the public and private sectors to address these critical issues and foster sustainable growth in Nigeria’s livestock industry.

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