The Nigerian government and the United States are set to partners on different areas of livestock particularly breed improvement, research and modernize the sector into a vibrant, sustainable, globally competitive livestock sector in the country.
This was disclosed when the US Ambassador to Nigeria His Excellency Richard Mills, Jr. and his team paid a working visit to the Nigerian Minister of Livestock Development in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
While stating his mission for the visit, Ambassador Mills said the creation of the livestock ministry by President Tinubu would help ease the tension between herders’/farmers’ clashes in the country and also boost livestock production.
Ambassador Mills said the US through the USAID have been involved in programmes that have been supporting livestock development in Nigeria especially in areas such as breed improvement, food processing, and technology adoption can unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s livestock sector.
“I would just say that over the years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USAID, has been engaged heavily in the livestock sector of the Nigerian economy. We’ve developed, I think, some important programs to develop the capacity of the livestock sector to work with livestock farmers and herders” .
He disclosed plans to support 25 Nigerian exporters and livestock professionals to attend the upcoming world’s largest industrial food processing expo in Atlanta, Georgia.
The US Ambassador stated that the three-day event will connect Nigerian stakeholders with global livestock experts, offering opportunities to establish business partnerships and advance best practices in livestock management.
While responding, the Nigerian Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Maiha said the Nigerian government is committed to transforming the livestock sector into a sustainable competitive sector that create jobs, boost economic growth, food security, and enhance poverty reduction.
“It is the desire of Mr. President to see that the sector go into radical changes, as I said, to create jobs and lead to food and nutrition for the minority”.
Mr. Maiha disclosed that Nigeria is seeking partnership with countries that are advanced in the management of livestock industry with focus on research and breed improvement that could boost dairy production.
“We are looking for collaboration, for partnership from those societies, those economies, those countries that have had advanced management system of their livestock industry. The areas we are looking at, Your Excellency, one is breed improvement”.
The minister noted that technology will be leveraged on to curb the menace of cattle rustling in country.
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