The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has said that the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), is aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry from $32billion to $74billion within five years.

The minister stated this during the First National Council on Livestock Development meeting held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Adamawa State.

The maiden edition of the National Council meeting on livestock development, tagged “Livestock rebirth: Accelerating Renewed Hope”, is geared toward food security, public health, job creation, economic diversification and sustainable development.

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Maiha explained that about a year ago, the ministry was established with a clear mandate to transform the livestock sector from a traditional, often conflict-ridden practice, into a modern, sustainable and economically vibrant industry.

“I am proud to report that, in this short period, we have laid a solid foundation for this transformation, guided by the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), the National Livestock Master Plan and other laudable initiatives. The NL-GAS aims to transform our livestock industry from a $32bn to a $74bn industry within the next 5 years.”

He said that his ministry is actively engaging with countries, community-based organisations, producer associations and other indigenous, multinational and multi/bilateral development partners, adding that their strong collaboration is already yielding positive results as many are ready to invest in either beef fodder, small ruminants, animal breeding, poultry, piggery and animal identification, amongst others.

Earlier speaking, Tasir Olawale Raji, Chairman House Committee on Livestock Development, revealed that Nigeria’s annual livestock production is estimated at 563 million chickens, 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 60 million sheep and 16 million pigs.

Raji said the figures position Nigeria as the leading livestock producer in West Africa, but said, despite this standing, national production still falls significantly short of meeting domestic consumption needs.

He explained that the shortfall has led to the continued expenditure of billions of naira in foreign exchange on the importation of livestock products that can and should be produced locally.