Nigeria’s Livestock Subsector Can Generate N33trn Annually – Ministry
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has said Nigeria’s livestock sub sector can generate over N33 trillion annually, saying it has huge economic potentials waiting to be harnessed.
The Permanent Secretary, FMARD, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, stated this at the inauguration of the Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN), Edo State chapter, in Benin.
Speaking, Umakhihe said the livestock sector is very vital to the socioeconomic development of the country, noting that the sub sector was estimated to contribute about 17 per cent of the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 5 per cent of the National GDP.
His words: “As we all know the livestock sector is very vital to the socioeconomic development of the country and it represents an important source of high-quality animal protein. It provides about 36.5 per cent of the total protein intake of Nigerians, generates employment, income, and earns foreign exchange for the country. The Edo Government through the ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is interested in improving livestock production hence, the creation of an animal husbandry department in the ministry. I urge you all to take advantage of this department to explore the huge potential in the animal husbandry subsector,” Umakhihe added.
On his part, the Registrar, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Prof. Eustace Iyayi, lauded the Edo state government for creating the department of animal husbandry, adding that NIAS would key into the mandate of helping the state harness potentials in the livestock subsector.
He said, “As an institute, we are going to key into the mandate of helping the state grow livestock to harness the potential in the sector. “I am confident that at a time when Nigeria’s oil industry is failing, we will be able to tap into the N33 trillion huge potential earnings in the value chain.”
Also, the Special Adviser to Gov. Godwin Obaseki on Livestock, Mr. Bashiru Kadiri, said the need for the Governor of the state to make the livestock and entire animal husbandry subsector thrive informed the implementation of the Edo state livestock initiative programme.
Agro Nigeria
