The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has stressed the need for a properly articulated National Livestock Development Plan for the modernisation and growth of the sector.
The ACCI President, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode said this on Thursday in Abuja at a policy roundtable on “Developing Livestock Value Chain in Nigeria”, organised by ACCI Policy Advocacy Centre (PAC).
According to ACCI boss, for government to adequately implement its draft master plan, herders and farmers must be integrated into the value chain.
Kayode said that ACCI, being the only national business chamber in Nigeria, decided to host the roundtable, considering the complications in the livestock sector.
“The outcome will be followed up later in the year with the hosting of a private sector-led conference on livestock value chain in Nigeria,” he added.
The ACCI president expressed regret that livestock was the most neglected in the agricultural sector in Nigeria, adding that it was a big shame as everybody was involved in the unfortunate development.
“We have abandoned this very critical economic sector to history and culture.
“The roundtable was aimed at finding solutions and bringing inputs and ideas to the table of government to support its policies.
“It will encourage government to understand that the livestock is an economic sector that must be driven by a clear policy channelled to the private sector.
“Many veterinary doctors are not doing the work they were trained to do; many of them are working in banks and insurance companies, among others.
“It is good to get this critical manpower to do the work they went to college to learn,” he said.
Dr Aliyu Idi-Hong, former Minister of Arts and Culture, called for support for ranching instead of allowing the cattle to graze many kilometres, expending energy.
“That is why our cows do not have value because of the enormous task of movement. It is important to encourage ranching, especially in the interest of national security.”
Idi-Hong argued that most developing countries in the world, particularly in Europe, had settled for ranching, adding that Botswana and Zimbabwe had the best cattle ranches in Africa.
He commended ACCI for deliberating on the issue to facilitate economic development for the country.
Dr Femi Ajisafe, a farmer and specialist, advised that if there should be a livestock development plan, the objectives must be properly stated.
“We cannot continue with the system we are in now because all communities have grown from their small sizes.
“The grazing roots have been eroded because of urbanisation. Therefore, we cannot continue with the system of pastoral ‘nomadism’. Several things must take place.
“There must be an acceptable national policy that all stakeholders must be involved in designing,” the expert said.
According to him, intensive cattle rearing will become the order of the day but credit facilities must be available.
