The Federal Government, in collaboration with the African Union-Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources’ Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems (RAFFS) Project, has launched a new multi-stakeholder platform to improve access to high-quality animal feed at competitive prices.
According to the Ministry of State for Agriculture and Food Security, the RAFFS Project addresses the significant disruptions caused by COVID-19, climate change shocks, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which have severely impacted African feed and fodder systems.
However, the project aims to analyze the effects of these crises and develop evidence-based short-term solutions to build resilience in the sector.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, highlighted that the platform’s launch aligns with the government’s commitment to sustainable food production and national food security.
Abdullahi noted that this initiative will not only improve access to feed for producers but also create a more integrated and competitive supply system.
On his part, Tunde Amole, Country Representative of the International Livestock Research Institute, pointed out that Nigeria currently spends substantial resources importing animal feed ingredients like corn, soybean, and wheat. These imports, essential for cattle, poultry, and pig production, amount to millions of tonnes annually.
Amole stressed the need to increase local sourcing of raw materials for animal feed to mitigate supply chain issues and promote sustainable development.
The RAFFS Project also aims to enhance knowledge and analysis, identify innovative business models, engage more women in the sector, improve policy engagement, and foster partnerships to address immediate challenges effectively.