FG Revitalize the feed and fodder sector to address farmer-herder conflicts.

The Federal Government, along with African Union (AU) Member States, has taken swift measures to combat Livestock Feed Shortages, preempt future feed-related crises, and address the ongoing farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria.
During the Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems (RAFFS) project meeting in Abuja, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, reiterated the government’s dedication to supporting the outcomes of the gathering.
“I assure you of my unwavering support, and I eagerly anticipate the results of this vital initiative. Going forward, we are committed to intensifying our efforts to ensure that this platform becomes a beacon across Africa and beyond,” the ministry’s statement quoted him as saying.
In her address, Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR (represented by Dr. Sarah Ossiya, Project Lead, RAFFS, AU-IBAR), commended Nigeria for establishing its National Feed and Fodder Multi-Stakeholder Platform, in line with the directives of African Heads of State and Government.
“This pivotal MSP will convene all stakeholders crucial for shaping a structured and more efficient feed and fodder sector. Such a sector will bolster a more productive, sustainable, and resilient livestock/animal resources industry, enhance the production of affordable livestock-derived foods, facilitate trade leveraging regional and continental opportunities, create employment—especially for women and youth—and mitigate conflicts between herders and crop farmers,” Dr. Salih remarked.
Participants were selected for their expertise and understanding of Nigeria’s feed and fodder sub-sector and its regional connections. Dr. Salih emphasized that while AU-IBAR would provide insights from conducted studies, the collective inputs of all stakeholders would shape a functional MSP to tackle feed and fodder issues in Nigeria.
During her opening remarks, Mrs. Winnie Lai-Solarin, Director of Animal Husbandry Services, highlighted that Nigeria’s Animal Feed System, including the development of feed and fodder documents, awaited validation. She underscored the timeliness of establishing the Feed and Fodder Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) to fulfill this directive.
Mrs. Lai-Solarin urged active participation from all stakeholders throughout the project to achieve feed and fodder objectives. David Maina, the Feed and Fodder Business Development Expert, emphasized the necessity of involving industry players in forming the multi-stakeholder platform to address shared challenges exacerbated by COVID-19, drough.