The federal government said in 2024 that it would be investing heavily in livestock production as a means to reduce the farmer-herder clashes.
Part of the plans include the conversion of the Obudu Cattle Ranch into a livestock hub to power dairy production in Nigeria
The federal government has also outlined plans to empower 1000 youths in each state to go into a livestock project aided by technology
In 2024, President Bola Tinubu said his administration would be turning the tragic situation caused by farmer-herders conflict into an economic opportunity by investing in the sector.
The president stated that the targeted investments would attract youths into the sector and also eradicate hunger and poverty in Nigeria .
In line with that plan, the federal government has rolled out a nationwide empowerment programme that will revamp the livestock value chain in Nigeria.
The programme will deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and other technological innovations to address the challenges in livestock production.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, disclosed this at the end of a 4-day Hack4Livestock Hackathon competition held at Galaxy Backbone Building, Abuja , during the week.
The Minister who was represented by his Special Adviser, Eustace Iyayi, noted that it was time to start leveraging digital platforms to drive growth in Nigeria’s livestock industry.
Speaking further about the empowerment programme, the Minister said the programme will be used to promote women’s empowerment and diversity.
He disclosed that the Nigerian Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy was developed to empower youths in Nigeria to move into different parts of the livestock value chain with the support of technology.
He said;
“We plan to capacitate 1,000 youths per state, including diversity across the country, in different values in the livestock sector. We are aware that this digital project is going to be very helpful in doing that.”
The event was organised by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, together with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy and the Ministry of Livestock Development, the NATION news reports.
