THE Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Sunday, threw weight behind the creation of the Ministry of Livestock by President Bola Tinubu.
The declaration of their support was made known by the President, MACBAN, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, during a press conference held at the Association’s headquarters in Abuja.
Ngelzarma in his address commended President Bola Tinubu for the creation of the Ministry which the livestock subsector currently has created employment for over 20 million Nigerians.
He said: “We welcome the creation of this very important ministry that contributes 10 percent GDP to Nigeria’s non-oil sector and 30 percent of Agricultural GDP.
“We salute the President for creating a Ministry for an industry that currently employs over 20 million Nigerians and which has the potential of unlocking millions of additional quality jobs at a time when Nigeria is beset by high levels of graduate and youth unemployment.
“The livestock sector is currently valued at over N33 trillion and with the envisaged new investments, it’s estimated to grow to over N75 trillion in few years to come.
“Like the newly created Blue economy, a renewed livestock production system will save Nigeria billions of dollars in foreign exchange from the importation of powdered milk and other livestock products as the country will also be positioned to earn Billions of dollars in the export of leather, beef and other livestock-related value chain products.
“As it is today, it’s a sector that employs Nigerians cutting across tribe and religion, some as butchers, transporters, tax collectors, diary/beef producers, and others.”
He also explained that livestock is not just only about cows but includes pigs, goats, sheep, fish, donkeys, camels, and amongst others.
However, he expressed disappointment following some comments by “some very educated people in several interviews granted in the media equating the creation of the Ministry to the Ruga Project of the last administration and insinuating that it is a Fulani thing and also as an attempt to take other people’s land by force to resettle pastoralist.”
He further stated that, “These myopic commentators are so entrenched in anti- Fulani sentiment that they failed to see the bigger picture and the opportunities open to veterinarians, animal scientist, beef and dairy processors range managers, investment bankers, etc.
“In fact we are not supposed to be defenders of this decision but the fact that we had been in the forefront in calling for the creation of such a ministry, believing that Nigeria must transit from the backward livestock production system to a new system that guarantees bigger returns in investments, reduce the tranhumance, poverty and conflicts that is associated with the outdated traditional system.
“It is therefore very mischievous and petty for educated and enlightened people to peddle falsehood by saying that the Government created a Ministry where veterinary doctors, drug manufacturers, feed producers butcheries, transporters and a whopping over 20 million People earn a living across this spectrum of professions to reduce it to a single ethnic group affairs”, he said.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that, “For instance the Sokoto red skin goat leather is the most valuable and most expensive leather in the world, the Gucci and Armani bags are a good testament to this. Nigeria earns about $1.2 billion annually for the export of hide and skin.
“It’s therefore projected that Nigeria will earn more than ten times what it earns now in foreign exchange. By 2050 when Nigerian population will be about 402 million the nutritional needs must also increase alongside the population growth. In line with this, enhancing livestock production can substantially increase the protein requirements which can best be achieved under a dedicated Ministry.
“Therefore, the challenge of feeding the nation must start now by redefining our priorities and investments to meet the food security challenges that we may face.”
He also maintained that, “As a responsible Association whose aims and objectives is to help our members transit to a modern livestock production system not just as a cultural tool but to take it to the level of a modernised business that guarantees good profit, an improved living condition where education and good health is prioritised.
He also called on the private sector and Government investment in the massive livestock industry that can turn the fortune of Nigerians around irrespective of their backgrounds.
“We all marvel at the sight of modern dairy farms in other climes and we have abundant natural resources to be like the developed world if only both government and the private sector can come together to invest in the needed infrastructure and delivery of essential services in education, healthcare, veterinary services, extension services, access to information and training to provide the needed skills and capacity to transform from traditional to a modern livestock production system.
“The need to deploy innovative and adaptable technologies with Indigenous people’s knowledge should lead to an increase crops- livestock integration, development of grazing reserves, evolution of the settlement model that can suit the peculiarities of both farmers and others, establishment of smallholder/commercial dairy and beef farms, breeds improvement as well as establishment of pastures and feedlots.
The MACAN boss also expressed optimism, “We believe the creation of a Ministry like this, issues of tagging of animals, profiling the pastoralists by creating data base, transportation, management of migration routes and peacebuilding aspects will be better handled.
“We are pleased to see states like Niger, Ekiti and Oyo State government investments in this sector not only as a welcome development but also as a model for other states to emulate. This shows that this business is for everybody who is willing to invest in a venture that promises billions of monetary proceeds in return. Nigerians must rise above sentiments and stereotype and engage in endeavours that will bring food onto their tables.
“Nigeria must learn from global best practices. Countries like Brazil, Australia, New Zealand had successfully leveraged dedicated agricultural and livestock Ministries to transform their economies. We must learn from them and tailor it to suit our unique context ensuring sustainable growth and development.”
He also solicited support from the media to create an awareness at all levels that will promote cohesiveness and opportunities that are prevalent in this sector and not the divisiveness that scares private investment to improve the nation’s economy.
