The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has distributed over 1,000 livestock feed inputs to farmers across Bayelsa State as part of efforts to improve livestock production, strengthen farmers’ livelihoods and support food security.
The intervention was carried out on Saturday, August 8, 2026, by the Ministry’s Department of Ranch and Pastoral Resources Development.
Intervention Targets Farmers’ Needs
Representing the Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Director of Ranch and Pastoral Resources Development, Dr. Hakeem Ibilade, said the intervention was one of the Ministry’s efforts to respond to the needs of livestock farmers across the country.
Ibilade said the support was provided based on feedback from livestock farmers in Bayelsa, stressing that the Ministry was committed to a responsive and farmer-centred approach to developing Nigeria’s livestock sector.
He urged the beneficiaries to make proper and continuous use of the inputs to improve livestock production and benefit their communities.
The Director also encouraged farmers to form cooperative groups and associations, saying this would improve coordination among them and make it easier for farmers to access future government interventions and support programmes.
He further urged the beneficiaries to take ownership of the items and use them responsibly to improve productivity and strengthen the livestock value chain in Bayelsa.
Inputs to Improve Animal Nutrition
The State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Unobong, said the intervention included groundnut cake and salt licks to support animal nutrition and improve livestock production.
According to him, the distribution reflects the Minister’s commitment to improving the welfare and productivity of livestock farmers across Nigeria.
He said similar interventions were being implemented in other parts of the country, assuring farmers that the Ministry would continue to provide support regardless of their location.
“What you are receiving today is to support your livestock to thrive and perform better,” he said.
Unobong also assured the beneficiaries that the Ministry would continue to explore additional interventions to strengthen livestock production in Bayelsa State.
Focus on Food Security and Jobs
Also speaking, Dr. Bamigboye, another State Coordinator of the Ministry, said the programme was aimed at supporting sustainable food security and increasing the availability of nutritious livestock products in Bayelsa.
He explained that improved livestock productivity would increase the availability of meat, eggs and milk, while creating employment opportunities and strengthening the livestock value chain.
Bamigboye urged farmers to pay greater attention to the nutritional value of livestock products, noting that increased investment in the sector could help address challenges around food security, job creation and economic development.
He added that higher productivity could also create opportunities for export-oriented livestock products, including hides and skins.
Farmers Seek More Support
The beneficiaries commended the Ministry for the intervention but appealed for additional support, particularly livestock production inputs, equipment and machinery, to help them expand their operations.
They said increased access to such resources would enable farmers to contribute more effectively to the development of Bayelsa’s livestock sector.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development reiterated its commitment to working with livestock farmers and other stakeholders across the country through interventions aimed at raising productivity, improving food security, creating jobs and promoting sustainable development in Nigeria’s livestock sector.
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