The federal government has unveiled plans to recruit 37,000 youths into livestock farming as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential Initiative on Youths and Livestock Development.
The minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made this announcement in Abuja during a meeting with executives from Brazil’s JBS S.A Group.
He emphasised that the initiative targets young Nigerians passionate about livestock farming and will provide them with training, financial support, and access to input sources.
“1,000 youths from each state will be profiled, trained, and linked to financial institutions to drive large-scale forage and fodder production in collaboration with state governments,” the minister stated.
Maiha further explained that the recruitment, which includes women, will focus on pasture cultivation, livestock breeding, and disease control. Some state governors have pledged land for the project, while the federal government will provide seedlings.
Speaking on breed improvement, he outlined three key methods: live bulls, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer.
“This method works best in a ranch setting, ensuring a higher female-to-male ratio, which enhances reproduction,” he said.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s livestock population currently includes 20.9 million cattle, 49.1 million sheep, 88.2 million goats, 258.5 million poultry, and 9.2 million pigs.
He also confirmed that the initiative would incorporate disease control measures targeting swine fever, anthrax, and other livestock diseases.
The chief executive officer of JBS S.A., Ricardo Lacerda, disclosed that Brazil plans to establish 200,000 ranches for beef production, a model to be replicated in Nigeria.
While acknowledging that Nigeria’s poultry sector is more developed than its beef industry, he assured that technical teams would continue discussing large-scale broiler production.
Lacerda emphasised that Brazil is committed to partnering with Nigeria, provided sufficient land exists for expansion.
The initiative marks a significant step towards modernising Nigeria’s livestock industry, boosting food production, and creating economic opportunities for young farmers.
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