The Nigerian government says the country must adopt modern livestock management practices that promote meat processing and value addition instead of moving live animals across long distances.
The government said this would help create more jobs, improve food quality and boost economic growth.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made the call at the North-West Agriculture and Livestock Stakeholders’ Symposium in Katsina State.
The event brought together stakeholders from the livestock, agriculture, transportation, security and food distribution sectors to discuss ways of improving livestock production and strengthenjjl the value chain.
He said processed and packaged meat should be transported through efficient cold-chain systems, which would improve safety, quality and market access.
According to the minister, modern abattoirs and meat processing facilities would create jobs, increase government revenue and support the growth of related industries.
He described value addition as a key part of the Federal Government’s plan to make the livestock sector a major contributor to economic growth and food security.
Maiha also called for the transformation of the Katsina Mai’adua International Livestock Market into a modern digital livestock trading hub capable of attracting local and foreign investment.
He said the market’s location gives it the potential to become a major livestock trading centre serving Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
The minister, however, raised concerns over challenges facing livestock transportation, including multiple checkpoints and delays on major highways.
He urged government agencies, security organisations and private sector operators to work together to remove barriers affecting the movement of livestock and agricultural products.
According to him, reducing transport bottlenecks would lower costs, improve trade and increase access to markets.
Livestock Development
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda said “his administration remains committed to agriculture and livestock development as tools for job creation, poverty reduction and economic growth”.
He noted that the state has launched a ward-based agricultural empowerment programme covering all 361 political wards to support women and smallholder farmers.
Radda said the government has also established a Goat Breeding Centre in Ladanawa and seven zonal veterinary clinics to improve animal health and productivity.
He said that construction of a modern slaughterhouse is at an advanced stage, adding that the state aims to end the export of livestock in raw form by promoting local processing and value addition.
“We are committed to creating jobs, strengthening the local economy and improving the earnings of livestock farmers through modern livestock development,” he said.
Easier Livestock Transportation
National President of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria, Kabiru Muhammad Dabai, called for urgent action to remove obstacles affecting the movement of livestock and food commodities.
He said multiple checkpoints, highway delays and rising logistics costs continue to affect traders, transporters and other operators in the sector.
According to Dabai, the challenges increase transportation costs, disrupt supply chains and contribute to higher food prices.
He urged authorities to work with stakeholders to develop practical solutions that would improve trade, reduce losses and expand market access.
Dabai commended the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Katsina State Government for creating a platform to address industry challenges.
He expressed confidence that the symposium’s resolutions would help strengthen livestock transportation, improve agricultural value chains and support food security across Nigeria.
The symposium was themed, “Enhancing Road Safety in Livestock Transportation and Addressing Blockages on National Highways.”
