The Federal Government has begun discussions with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) on implementing a major livestock development programme expected to create about 230,000 jobs in Nigeria, with at least 70 per cent of the opportunities reserved for young women.
The initiative, known as the Rural Employment through Animal Feed Production (REAP) programme, is a US$250 million Mastercard Foundation-funded project covering seven African countries. It is designed to generate one million jobs across the continent by expanding animal feed production, strengthening livestock value chains and supporting agribusiness development.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this during a meeting with ILRI's Senior Scientist in Digital Agriculture, Dr. Sibiry Traoré, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Maiha said the Federal Government is committed to working with ILRI and other implementing partners to ensure Nigeria fully benefits from the programme by creating jobs, attracting investment and accelerating livestock sector development, the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Henrietta Okokon, said in a statement.
He described REAP and the proposed African Livestock Resilience Programme (ALRP), which is being developed with financing support from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), as key interventions that align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's livestock transformation agenda.
According to the minister, increased investment in feed and fodder production is essential to improving dairy production, animal nutrition, livestock productivity and national food security.
"Everything is about feed and fodder," Maiha said, noting that Nigeria has abundant land, water resources and a youthful population that can be engaged in commercial and small-scale fodder production.
He said the ministry plans to collaborate with state governments to unlock irrigable land around dams for year-round pasture cultivation while promoting the transportation of processed feed to livestock-producing areas instead of moving animals across the country.
"We must begin to move feed instead of moving animals," he said, adding that transporting processed feed and baled crop residues would help reduce seasonal migration, improve productivity and minimise conflicts associated with grazing.
The minister added that improved feed availability would complement ongoing efforts to eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), increase sheep and goat productivity and strengthen the country's dairy industry.
He directed relevant technical departments in the ministry to begin immediate engagement with ILRI, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and other stakeholders to develop Nigeria's roadmap for participation in both REAP and the proposed African Livestock Resilience Programme.
Earlier, Dr. Traoré said REAP is designed as a development programme rather than a research initiative, with about 70 per cent of its funding allocated to public and private sector partners to stimulate enterprise growth, improve access to finance and strengthen animal feed businesses.
He explained that the initiative would support investments in alternative feed resources such as Black Soldier Fly technology, high-quality cassava products, sweet potato-based feed, total mixed rations and improved feed processing enterprises, creating employment opportunities in production, processing, logistics and agricultural services.
Traoré also briefed the minister on the proposed US$600 million African Livestock Resilience Programme, which aims to strengthen livestock production systems, digital agriculture, climate resilience, financing and regional collaboration across participating African countries.
He reaffirmed ILRI's readiness to support Nigeria in preparing the required documentation and stakeholder engagements for the country's formal participation in the programme.
The meeting also discussed digital agriculture, agricultural extension services, innovative livestock financing, climate-smart livestock production and strategies to strengthen public-private partnerships in Nigeria's livestock sector.
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