Livestock Development Minister Pushes For Specialized Colleges For Animal Husbandry

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has called for the establishment of specialized colleges dedicated to livestock development. He also urged the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) to ramp up its research and innovation efforts in this area.

Maiha made this statement when the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Professor Garba Sharubutu, led a delegation to his office. The Minister emphasized the necessity of creating dedicated colleges for livestock, questioning whether the existing agricultural colleges are sufficient to meet the needs of Nigeria’s growing population.

“Are our agricultural colleges enough for our population? We need to encourage the creation of colleges specifically for livestock and animal husbandry,” he said.

Referring to the transformation agenda for the livestock sector, Maiha highlighted the importance of focused research, breed improvement, disease management, and sustainable feeding practices. “We want to see more dedicated research in livestock. We must believe in the sector’s potential to bring about meaningful change. Our priorities include feed and fodder development, disease and health management, traceability, and genetic improvement across species,” he explained.

The Minister also pointed out the critical need for skilled intellectual manpower to meet the sector’s growing demands, particularly with the substantial capital investments being made. He shared that Nigeria has approximately 417 grazing reserves, which are set to be converted into communal ranches to reduce uncontrolled cattle movement and improve livestock management.

“We’re talking about substantial transformation in rural areas, and we will not rely on importing grass varieties. We need indigenous grasses that are nutritious, hardy, tolerant, and drought-resistant. This is what we’re looking for. ARCN must engage with the market,” Maiha emphasized.

He further stressed that it is not enough for individuals to earn degrees and remain passive in their roles. “We want patents. We’re restructuring the livestock sector to create jobs, generate wealth, and enhance food security. We have numerous investors coming in, and ARCN must be central to this transformation,” he added.

Maiha acknowledged that while agricultural crop research has made significant strides, livestock research and education must catch up. “If you look at our agricultural colleges, most only have one or two departments focused on livestock. We must ensure these institutions are adequately equipped to serve the needs of the sector,” he concluded.