Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD, has called for the need to develop the utilization of low grade grains and alternative feed ingredients for climate smart animal feed production and has made the distribution of feed ingredients to livestock farmers and feed millers in the FCT.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD, Dr Ernest Umakhihe made the call during a Capacity Building and Feed Ingredients Distribution Program, organised by Department of Animal Husbandry Services held at Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Umakhihe who was ably represented by Mrs Winnie Lai- Solarin, Director, Animal Husbandry Services of Ministry stated that nutritious animal feeds were essential for development and productivity of animals, especially food animals.
The PS said that in Nigeria, animal feed remains a challenge to animal husbandry practices, largely due to high cost of animal feeds, which were not readily available and where they are, they were not easily affordable by an average farmer adding that the utilization of the cheapest and most available feedstuff was a major challenge facing livestock farmers in Nigeria amidst feed crisis.
He stated: “These cheap feed resources include crop residues rice, maize, ground nut and cassava by-products, etc. Animal processing wastes, and brewery wastes just to mention a few.
“It is gratifying to note that the contribution of Livestock sub-sector to the economy goes beyond the production of meat, milk and eggs. The livestock sub-sector supports over 1 billion people globally accounting for over 40% of global agricultural gross domestic product, GDP and provides over 33% of the world’s protein intake.”
The Permanent Secretary noted that the capacity building program was not only in alignment with the agenda of the Minister in charting a new course for Nigeria livestock industry and Agri-business, but it was also in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration agenda to leverage on the Agricultural sector for wealth creation, employment generation and diversification of the economy.
He also noted that the program was to also provide the needed knowledge that will sustain the achievements and proffer solutions to overcome the complex challenges caused by covid-19 pandemic in the animal feed sub-sector.
According to him, currently the Covid-19, flood and insecurity have negatively impacted on many sectors, particularly the livestock sector through reduced availability of animal feed ingredients, labour, processing facilities, inputs and services, thereby reducing availability of animal feeds to markets and consumers.
“Hence these challenges have necessitated the need for Capacity Building of this nature to provide the knowledge and strength to contain these threats.
“I would expect the outcome of this programme to contain the following: Beneficiaries capacity enhanced to harness and utilize available alternative feed resources and Progressive reduction in the cost of feed by feed millers using alternative feed ingredients.”
Furthermore, he explained that the challenges in the livestock industry especially feed related ones should be seen as an opportunity for all actors across the various feed value chain to appropriately respond and promote the utilization of alternative feed ingredients.
“Otherwise, it will be business as usual where Nigerian populace will be continually faced with serious competition with our livestock on conventional feed ingredients leading to increased feed and food prices,” he added.
Meanwhile, Director, Animal Husbandry Services, FMARD, Mrs Winnie Lai- Solarin said that Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was aware of the plight of farmers, especially livestock farmers and is determined to support them to improve their production process to achieve feed and food security and as well better their livelihood.
Saying that there was a low production capacity of most feed mills in the country. This was mainly due to scarcity and high cost of feed ingredients, and many farmers have been thrown out of business and some are involved in many sharp practices that undermine the effectiveness of their activities on the environment.
Solarin noted that it was an established fact that feed constitutes about 70% of the cost of livestock production, therefore subsidizing the cost of feed production will not only increase the farmers’ profit but also sustain their interest and the Ministry has in the past initiated and carried out several support programs and today is another great day to give lasting support to the farmers.
She said: “Undoubtedly, this training will acquaint participants with the relevant knowledge and skill that will uplift their businesses as feed millers and livestock farmers. It is expected that at the end of this capacity building there will be significant improvement on the profitability of your enterprise and that of your associates.
“You should be able to produce feed at low cost through the use of alternative ingredients and silage. I will encourage all participants at this training not to keep the knowledge they will obtain here today to themselves, but get back and step it down to the several farmers in their locality.”
Adding that the training of farmers on low cost feed production through utilization of alternative feed ingredients was essential in increasing their profit and reducing the rate of competition between man and animal for conventional feed ingredients explaining that silage making and utilization is one of such knowledge that can make a difference.