Photo credit: Federal Ministry of Information & National Orientation of Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Federal Government is seeking deeper collaboration with U.S. private-sector companies in livestock genetics, animal nutrition, technology and productivity as it works to modernize the country’s livestock industry.
Livestock Development Minister Idi Mukhtar Maiha outlined the effort July 11 in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation of American livestock companies and associations led by Christopher Bielecki, representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with ministry directors and other stakeholders.
The meeting focused on identifying practical areas for cooperation between Nigeria and U.S. companies in livestock genetics, feed and nutrition, poultry, dairy, ruminants and pig production.
Maiha said the government is working to strengthen and reorganize livestock facilities and production systems across Nigeria. He also pointed to the country’s large population and expanding livestock market as opportunities for investment.
Bielecki said the delegation was visiting to introduce leading U.S. private-sector companies and livestock associations to Nigeria’s livestock industry and explore potential partnerships. He said the U.S. government is supporting Nigeria’s livestock sector through the Food for Progress program, with approximately $25 million invested over five years in poultry, aquaculture and animal feed value chains.
The participation of U.S. companies also reflects interest in supporting smallholder farmers and livestock producers through technology transfer, training and capacity development.
Gregg BeVier of STgenetics and Fast Genetics highlighted technologies involving livestock genetics, precision farming, sex-sorted semen and genetic testing. These technologies could help Nigerian producers improve herd genetics, increase productive female animals and make more informed breeding decisions.
BeVier also discussed an artificial intelligence-based technology that monitors animals and provides real-time information on factors such as body temperature and movement patterns. The technology could help producers identify reproductive stages and improve herd management.
He said expanding modern breeding technologies would require increased local technical capacity, particularly through training artificial insemination technicians. He also called for greater cooperation among government agencies, private companies, research institutions and development partners to improve the collection and use of livestock data.
Dairy development was another focus of the meeting, with participants discussing improved genetics and feed technologies as tools to increase milk production and help move informal dairy producers into more organized value chains.
ADM General Manager Ifunayan Aginam said the company has operated in Nigeria for about four years, providing feed additives, mineral and vitamin premixes, technical support, feed formulation and training. ADM also operates a Nigerian laboratory that analyzes raw materials used by farmers and feed millers to support feed quality and formulation.
Aginam identified limited availability of essential raw materials as a challenge for Nigeria’s feed industry. Several vitamins and minerals remain dependent on imports. She also asked the Ministry to help address difficulties obtaining End-User Certificates for importing essential feed ingredients, including dicalcium phosphate.
Adequate calcium and phosphate are important for animal growth and development, particularly in poultry production.
Representatives of the U.S. Grains and Crop Council and other American livestock organizations also discussed opportunities in Nigeria’s poultry, aquaculture, dairy and beef sectors. The U.S. Grains and Crop Council promotes the use of U.S. corn, sorghum, barley, ethanol and corn co-products in livestock feed and expressed interest in supporting efficient and sustainable feed systems in Nigeria.
Nigerian ministry officials emphasized the importance of local content in potential investments. They encouraged prospective investors to establish stronger connections with Nigerian universities, research institutions and other organizations to advance research involving locally available raw materials and technologies.
Participants also discussed reducing dependence on imported inputs by identifying, developing and commercializing local alternatives.
The meeting identified potential cooperation in livestock genetics, breeding, genomics, animal health, diagnostics, feed and nutrition, research and development, trade finance, local content and private-sector investment.
The Ministry said continued engagement between government, private companies, research institutions and development partners will be important to advancing local production, technology transfer and innovation across Nigeria’s livestock value chains.
Source: Federal Ministry of Information & National Orientation of Nigeria, "FG, U.S. Private Sector Explore Partnership To Boost Livestock Genetics, Feed, Productivity"