Nigeria has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Sahel countries to take deliberate, coordinated steps to boost livestock development and productivity across the region.
The call came during a two-day Policy Dialogue Workshop in Abuja, which evaluated the results of the PRISMA Project (Research and Innovation for Productive, Resilient, and Healthy Agro-Pastoral Systems in West Africa) and aligned them with regional agricultural priorities. The workshop brought together policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders from across West Africa and the Sahel.
Speaking at the opening session, Mr. Peter Alike, Director of the Technical Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, stressed that the livestock sector remains underdeveloped in the region and requires intentional regional collaboration.
"Deliberate action is needed because livestock production across West Africa and the Sahel is still at a rudimentary stage. Collaboration is essential if we want to increase productivity and competitiveness," Alike said.
He highlighted Nigeria's strategic plan for the livestock sector (2025–2030), aiming to raise its GDP contribution from the current $32 billion to between $74 billion and $94 billion over the next decade. The plan focuses on national food security, job creation, and rural income generation.
"By developing the livestock value chain, we can feed our population and expand into regional markets," Alike added.
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Mr. Konlani Kanfitin, Acting Executive Director of the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA), reaffirmed ECOWAS' commitment to advancing livestock research and development. He acknowledged the support of the European Union (EU) and the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID) in co-financing the PRISMA Project, which promotes climate-adapted, research-based innovations in livestock production.
The PRISMA Project aligns with ECOWAS' regional agricultural policy (ECOWAP), which aims to transform food systems, improve productivity, and strengthen agro-pastoral resilience.
Dr. Fernando Escribano, Agricultural Engineer and PRISMA researcher, highlighted the project's focus on aflatoxin control in livestock feed, emphasizing the need for standardized detection and mitigation methods across the region.
"Aflatoxins don't recognize borders. Environmental impacts are regional, so harmonization and standardization are critical for safe and productive livestock systems," Dr. Escribano explained.
The workshop underscored the importance of policy dialogue, regional collaboration, and innovation in enhancing livestock productivity, ensuring food security, and improving the livelihoods of millions of rural households in West Africa and the Sahel.
