Nigeria, Brazil Strengthen Bilateral Ties In Livestock Development

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made the commitment when he welcomed a high-level delegation led by the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr. Carlos Garcete, to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in Abuja.

Referencing recent progress made during the G20 Summit in Brazil, where Nigeria secured commitments from leading Brazilian livestock companies, Maiha assured the Brazilian delegation of Nigeria’s readiness for business.

“The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development is a landmark decision by Mr. President and a definitive statement to the world that Nigeria’s livestock sector is open for business. 

“The representatives from JBS have already toured some of our livestock markets, and a technical team is scheduled to visit next month for feasibility studies. These steps will ensure that the agreements signed translate into concrete gains on the ground,” the Minister said.

The Minister further outlined the ministry’s strategic focus areas, including research and development, breed improvement, feed and fodder production, and creating an enabling environment for private sector investment.

“Research and development are at the forefront of our transformation agenda. Brazil has made significant advancements in this area, and we believe collaboration with Brazil will yield transformative results for Nigeria,” he noted.

Speaking earlier on behalf of the Brazilian government, Ambassador Garcete, pointed out Brazil’s global leadership in livestock production and exports, stressing the country’s readiness to support Nigeria’s transformation efforts.

“Brazil is an important exporter of meat and poultry globally, and we are eager to help Nigeria not just import products but create a sustainable platform for local production, job creation, and economic development,” he said.

Ambassador Garcete further explained that, “In the past, our businesspeople believed it was enough to sell meat to Nigeria, focusing on affordability and quality. However, I have been working to change this mindset. 

The Ambassador also announced the forthcoming Brazil-Nigeria Trade Mission led by the President of the Brazilian Export Agency, Mr. Jorge Viana, scheduled for Monday, January 27, 2025.

This mission will bring nearly 50 business leaders from 16 sectors of Brazil’s economy to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, alongside other key government officials, including his counterparts from the Ministries of Agriculture and Industry, Trade, and Investment, has been invited to serve as a keynote speaker.

The meeting focused on promoting collaboration between Nigeria and Brazil to modernise Nigeria’s livestock sector, enhance productivity, and drive economic growth.

Some key areas of collaboration between both countries will include breed improvement, feed and fodder production, and large-scale investments in livestock enterprises.