In a strategic move to stabilize the nation’s volatile livestock market, the Federal Government has signaled a deepened partnership with private sector giants to fortify domestic feed security.
The Honorable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, formalized this commitment during a high-level working visit to Olam Agri’s Integrated Soy Crush and Feedmill Complex in Ilorin, Kwara State. The visit comes at a critical time as the industry grapples with fluctuating input prices and supply chain disruptions.
Addressing the Cost Crisis
During the tour of the facility, the Minister highlighted that feed remains the most significant hurdle for Nigerian farmers, often accounting for the lion’s share of total production expenses. He emphasized that the path to affordable protein for Nigerians lies in strengthening the domestic processing of essential crops like soybeans.
“Feed constitutes the largest cost component in livestock production,” Minister Maiha stated. “It is imperative that we expand our domestic soybean processing capabilities to enhance price stability, improve supply reliability, and reduce our vulnerability to external market shocks.”
Strengthening the Value Chain
The discussions centered on creating a seamless seed-to-market pipeline. This integrated approach aims to synchronize every stage of the process from the initial cultivation of crops by smallholder farmers to high-tech feed manufacturing and, ultimately, the delivery of livestock products to the consumer.
By tightening the coordination between the government and industrial processors, the Ministry hopes to create a more predictable environment for local producers.
A Shared Commitment to Resilience
Olam Agri, a major player in Nigeria’s agribusiness landscape, reaffirmed its long-term investment in the country. Company representatives pledged to work alongside the Ministry to scale up production capacity and improve the overall quality of available feed.
The collaboration marks a significant step in the Federal Government’s broader agenda to build a resilient food system. Both parties concluded the engagement with a joint pledge to prioritize productivity and ensure that the livestock sector can meet the growing nutritional demands of the Nigerian population.
