FMARD Stakeholders Dialogue to Mitigate Impact of COVID-19 on Livestock

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) through the Department of Animal Husbandry Services (DAHS) has said it is putting measures in place to forestall the projected food insecurity in the country, particularly in the livestock sector.

This was disclosed during a Stakeholders Technical Meeting last week to deliberate on interventions to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent future crises.

With the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) forecasting a looming food crisis and a multiplier effect on aspects of national life, the meeting was expedient in curbing the adverse impact of the pandemic.

A similar projection was made by WFP that conflict-hit communities in North-East Nigeria, particularly, Borno, Adamawa, and the Yobe States would experience extreme hunger in the period 2020-21 due to the crisis bedevilling the region and the outbreak of COVID-19.

Organised by the DAHS, the technical meeting was held to identify the impact of COVID-19 on ‘Animal Agriculture’ and develop strategies that will cushion the effect, as well as build capacity in the implementation of Livestock policies, and animal husbandry practices.

It was also held to dialogue with DAHS Staff and boost capacity on Global Best Animal Husbandry Practices. Additionally, the meeting sought to develop special interventions that would meet proteins in livestock.

Speaking at the meeting in her address, the Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry (DAHS), Mrs Winnie Lai-Solarin noted that the department was saddled with the mandate of coordinating livestock development policies, programmes, and interventions.

According to her, the department is targeting a maximum improvement in the attainment of self-sufficiency in animal proteins, production, processing, and marketing of livestock and livestock products nationally and for export.

The meeting further witnessed presentations of briefs of each Division in the department by the Head of Divisions and concluded with training on Online Meeting Application.