Nigeria Pledges Renewed Efforts To Bolster Local Livestock Production

News in brief:- The ministry of agriculture is intensifying efforts to revitalise the livestock sector by providing agricultural inputs to boost local production in Nigeria. - It mentions both short-term relief and long-term support for farmers, with a focus on addressing challenges like climate change and high feed costs to enhance the sector's resilience. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has pledged to redouble its efforts to revitalise the nation's livestock sector, aiming to improve farmers livelihoods and enhance food security. This commitment was reiterated during a recent event in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where the ministry distributed agricultural inputs and animal feeds to flood-affected livestock farmers. Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, emphasised the government's unwavering dedication to supporting livestock farmers. He stated that the ministry will not relent in its efforts to work out interventions to address the plight of these crucial stakeholders. Also, he underscored the importance of revitalising the sector, remarking that it was crucial not only for improving farmer income and livelihood but also for bolstering the country's food and nutrition security. The distribution of agricultural inputs and animal feeds is part of a multi-pronged approach to address immediate challenges faced by livestock farmers. These challenges include the impact of climate change, high feed costs, and production limitations. Umakhihe added that the initiative would increase production, and ultimately contribute to a more robust and resilient livestock sector. Meantime, the ministry's commitment extends beyond short-term relief, with a focus on long-term improvements. Umakhihe highlighted the ministry's dedication to supporting smallholder farmers, who are predominantly women and youth. He disclosed that the ministry aims to achieve this by providing them with the necessary resources and knowledge to enhance their productivity. The event also received praise from the FCT Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Secretariat, Kolo Geidam, who commended the ministry's commitment to supporting farmers and enhancing their income and livelihood.