By Felicia Imohimi

Stakeholders in the livestock sector have urged increased investment in pasture development and the revitalisation of grazing reserves.

They said this is essential to ensure sufficient fodder for livestock and help resolve the ongoing farmer-herder crises nationwide.

The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ workshop convened to validate the draft National Animal Feed Policy Document.

Prof. Ari Maikano, President of the Nigerian Food and Fodder Multi-Sector Platform, spoke on the current state of fodder in the country.

He noted that a thorough assessment from the valley regions to the savannah zones reveals the presence of various types of pasture, shrubs, and fodder.

“These reflect our diverse agro-ecological zones. Nigeria is blessed with rich fodder resources that require further development.

“Some countries have sourced their fodder from Nigeria and integrated it into their national agricultural assets.

“Interestingly, we currently have a situation where some areas have abundant fodder production, while others have high utilisation rates.

“One of the strengths of the fodder sector is the potential for robust business-to-business relationships,” he added.

Maikano highlighted the importance of private sector funding in addressing the challenges faced by the livestock industry, emphasising that the sector cannot continue to rely solely on government support.

“It is essential that the sector attracts significant private sector investment. Encouragingly, we are beginning to see data-driven interventions, which are crucial for the growth and development of the sector.

“Historically, the focus has been on feed, but we are now recognising that fodder is a major constraint in Nigeria’s livestock-agriculture system, and it must be prioritised”.

The professor stressed the need for greater engagement with the fodder sector, describing it as central to resolving many of the country’s current security challenges.

He linked the recurring conflicts between farmers and herders to competition over feed resources.

Speaking at the workshop, Maikano said the objective was to appraise and validate the National Animal Feed Policy Document and harmonise ideas on key issues that should be reflected in the final policy.

He identified private sector participation as one of the core themes of the document that would benefit the sector.

Also speaking, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, described the gathering as a significant step in stakeholders’ collective effort to reposition the livestock sector.

He identified the livestock sector as a vital contributor to national food security, rural livelihoods, and economic diversification.

The minister emphasised that animal feed and fodder form the backbone of any sustainable livestock production system.

He acknowledged that the sector continues to face major challenges, including inadequate feed and fodder supply, poor quality control, weak regulatory frameworks, and limited private sector engagement.

“These gaps have hampered productivity, profitability, and resilience across our livestock value chains,” he said.

“This policy document, which we are here to validate, offers a strategic and inclusive response to those challenges.

“It provides a comprehensive framework for enhancing feed and fodder production, attracting investment, supporting research and development, ensuring quality standards, and improving stakeholder coordination.

“A structured policy for feed and fodder across production, supply, market access, and investment is essential in driving the Ministry’s goal to double our national herd to 398.9 million heads,” he added. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade