The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has engaged stakeholders in the sector on the review of Nigeria’s National Animal Feed Policy Document to achieve the desired roadmap for animal feed and militate the challenges against the sector in Nigeria.
Speaking during the event in Abuja, the ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe said the review was aimed at providing a draft document ahead of the forthcoming second Animal Feed Summit.
He recalled that at the end of the first Animal Feed Summit held between September 23 and 25, 2021, in Abuja, a draft policy document was developed.
Represented by the ministry’s director of special duties, Mrs. Fausat Lawal, Umakhihe revealed that the ministry had successfully conducted the first summit themed “Developing a road map for Animal Feed Security in Nigeria”, adding that the summit attracted key stakeholders from policy, research and commerce arms of the feed industry and the broader livestock sub-sector.
He revealed that critical issues were raised on the need to strategically develop a comprehensive feed sector database, harness crop residues to boost feed security and safeguard the environment, prioritise efforts and investment in harnessing alternative feed resources amongst others.
Umakhihe pointed out that the summit would achieve the desired roadmap for animal feed in the country and also develop an internationally recognised National Animal Feed Policy document for Nigeria.
The permanent secretary urged the participants to use the consultative meeting as a call to National duty to develop a well-reviewed animal feed policy tailored towards an actionable plan to attain sustainable animal feed security in the country.
Earlier, the director, department of animal husbandry services, Mrs. Winnie Solarin revealed that the summit started in 2020 without a draft document but the first National Feed Policy brought about the copy currently being reviewed.
In her remarks, the director, animal husbandry services, FCT, Hajiya Umma Abubakar said that the policy guide would provide comprehensive implementation of activities beyond local production and improve animal feed security in Nigeria.
Participants were drawn from the Federal Capital Territory, animal husbandry services department, the Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, livestock stakeholders amongst others.
