The Federal Government has reaffirmed its strong commitment to addressing food shortages and unemployment across the country by prioritising agriculture and livestock development.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made the declaration on Monday at the second International Conference of the Agrifood Systems Stakeholders Forum held at the University of Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Director of Ruminant and Monogastric Development, Victor Egbon, the Minister stated that the government’s coordinated national livestock development agenda would boost agricultural productivity, generate employment, and restore public confidence in the sector.
He called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to advance agriculture and fully support the Federal Government’s livestock initiatives.
Maiha acknowledged the pressures facing Nigeria’s agrifood systems, including climate variability, flooding, drought, land degradation, rising input costs, animal diseases, post-harvest losses, weak market linkages, and limited access to finance.
“Within these challenges lies a compelling opportunity to build agrifood systems that are more productive, inclusive and climate-resilient, while creating decent jobs for women and young people,” he said.
The Minister highlighted significant untapped potential along the livestock value chain, noting opportunities in feed production, hatcheries, dairy collection, animal health services, storage, processing, logistics, and waste-to-wealth enterprises.
The conference, organised by the Agricultural Policy Research Network (APRNet) with support from the Federal Government, the European Union, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, focused on practical solutions to food insecurity, poverty, and youth unemployment.
University of Port Harcourt Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Princewill Chike, described agriculture as a key solution to brain drain and youth migration, urging policymakers to make the sector more attractive to young people.
APRNet President and Conference Coordinator, Prof. Anthony Onoja, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration to tackle low farm productivity, climate challenges, and conflict-related issues affecting food systems.
The Federal Government continues to position agriculture and livestock development as central pillars of its efforts to achieve food security, create jobs, and drive inclusive economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.