Nigeria's livestock industry is on the brink of transformation as 10 states have pledged land and infrastructure to revolutionize animal farming—creating a golden opportunity for SMEs to enter a more stable, profitable sector.
At a recent national stakeholder workshop hosted by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) and the World Bank, representatives from states including Kogi, Gombe, Borno, Benue, Plateau, and Bauchi unveiled bold commitments to improve water access, pasture production, and sustainable livestock practices—key drivers of recurring farmer-herder clashes.
Kogi State took the lead, announcing the commercial scaling of pasture farming using advanced technology. "We've got land, water, manpower, and a pro-investment climate. What we need now are partners and SMEs ready to innovate," said Olufemi Bolarin, Kogi's Commissioner for Livestock.
Gombe State echoed this drive, revealing its adoption of artificial insemination techniques and infrastructure to stabilize feed and water supply—critical to reducing seasonal livestock migration. "This is about moving from traditional livestock keeping to agribusiness," said Barbara Malle, Commissioner for Agriculture.
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Borno and Bauchi States also offered land and pledged full cooperation to attract investment in modern animal farming.
L-PRES National Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar, emphasized the economic potential: "We want to make pasture a tradable commodity—like poultry feed—so cattle, goats, and sheep farmers can reduce costs, stay local, and scale up. Less movement means less conflict and more profit."
The Federal Government, through the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development, backed the initiative. Special Adviser Ishiaq Bello called for a revival of partnerships with the Bank of Agriculture to provide single-digit interest loans—a game-changer for livestock entrepreneurs.
"This is more than a workshop. It's a call to action," Bello said. "Pastoral management is now about climate-smart agriculture, technology, and private sector growth. SMEs are vital to this mission."
With over 70% of production costs tied to feed, this nationwide alignment could mark a turning point for Nigeria's livestock economy—unlocking opportunities for agro-SMEs, boosting food security, and creating jobs in rural communities.
