The federal government and livestock industry experts yesterday met with the private sector in Abuja to explore investment opportunities for climate-resilient livestock systems in Nigeria.

The high-level meeting was convened by the African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) and supported by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The discussions focused on barriers and other factors limiting investment in Nigeria’s livestock systems.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stressed the need for strategic partnerships to transform Nigeria’s livestock industry into a globally competitive sector, unlocking its potential for job creation, economic diversification and resolving long-standing conflicts between farmers and herders.

“The ministry has developed the Nigeria Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) and the Nigeria Livestock Master Plan. NL-GAS has 10 interdependent pillars aimed at modernising production systems, including genetic improvement, ranch development, increased productivity, food security, economic growth, sustainability, resilience and peacebuilding,” he said.

He added that realising this strategy required both production efficiency and adequate funding for domestic and global competitiveness.ad

“Animal welfare and traceability are becoming essential for trade, as livestock contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of livestock products is being monitored,” he added.

Experts from the National Animal Production Research Institute, Commercial Dairy Farmers Association, Poultry Association, Feed Producers Association, Nigerian Agribusiness Group, financial institutions, and development agencies highlighted challenges limiting private sector investment and suggested ways forward. (Daily Trust)