FG REITERATES COMMITMENT TO FOOD SECURITY, JOB CREATION

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving food security and creating more jobs through the development of Nigeria’s agriculture and livestock sectors.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made this known at the second International Conference of the Agrifood Systems Stakeholders Forum held at the University of Port Harcourt.

Maiha, who was represented by the Director of Ruminant and Monogastric Development, Victor Egbon, said the government’s coordinated national livestock development agenda was designed to improve agricultural productivity and create employment opportunities.

He called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, farmers, private-sector operators, researchers, and other stakeholders to address challenges affecting the agrifood sector.

The minister identified climate variability, flooding, drought, land degradation, rising input costs, animal diseases, post-harvest losses, weak market linkages, and limited access to finance as some of the challenges facing the sector.

He said the government was working to improve access to skills, finance, infrastructure, and markets for agricultural producers.

Maiha also highlighted opportunities across the livestock value chain, including feed production, hatcheries, dairy collection, animal health services, storage, processing, logistics, and waste-to-wealth businesses.

He said developing these areas could help create decent jobs, particularly for young people and women, while strengthening Nigeria’s food production capacity.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Princewill Chike, said agriculture could also help address youth unemployment and brain drain by making the sector more attractive to young Nigerians.

Stakeholders at the conference called for sustained investment and collaboration to build a more productive, inclusive, and climate-resilient agrifood system.