The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Enhancement Project (L-PRES), in collaboration with the World Bank and the Israeli government, has held a two-day workshop on sustainable pasture production and commercialization in Nigeria.
The gathering brought together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from across Nigeria and Israel to share knowledge on best practices and practical tools that can transform pasture production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
The major areas of focus were innovative technologies, best practices in rangeland and soil health management, commercial models for sustainable pasture enterprises, policy frameworks to support long-term sustainability, and community engagement strategies for inclusive implementation.
The National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Sannusi Abubakar, stated that the workshop would explore innovative, climate-smart, and technology-driven solutions to address the challenges facing the livestock sector.
“Pasturelands are the backbone of livestock production, yet they face growing threats from overgrazing, land degradation, and climate change. These challenges not only affect productivity but also contribute to conflicts over scarce resources.”
“Through this workshop, we aim to explore innovative, climate-smart, and technology-driven solutions to restore and sustainably manage our pasture ecosystems.”
Delivering the opening remark, the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Maiha, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Mr. Ishaq Bello, said the innovations and collaboration are important tools in addressing scarce pasture resources.
“This workshop underscores the importance of global partnerships, including collaborations with esteemed institutions and government agencies in Israel, to harness climate-smart technologies and digital innovations.”
“The involvement of our local and international stakeholders—from farmers and researchers to policymakers and development partners—reinforces our shared commitment to transforming rangeland management practices in Nigeria’s arid and semi-arid zones.”
ISRAELI GOVERNMENT
A representative of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Daniel Werner, said the collaboration will make a meaningful impact on Nigeria’s livestock sector.
“This workshop brings together experts and stakeholders to share knowledge and explore practical solutions, including innovative technologies and, of course, management practices to improve the health and productivity of these important ecosystems.”
“We welcome the opportunity to cooperate with Nigeria to achieve real impact through the Israeli Innovation Act, in the framework of international cooperation and collaboration with the World Bank.”
WORLD BANK
The Co-Task Leader of the L-PRES project from the World Bank, Mr. Chidozie Anyiro, said the workshop aims to improve pasture production and bring an end to farmer-herder conflicts in the country.
“So this workshop aims to increase pasture production, improve the productivity of our animals, mitigate farmer-herder conflicts, and also give people the opportunity to truly see pasture as a viable business.”