Grazing reserves can cut Nigeria’s $1.5bn milk imports – FMLD

Nigeria is strategically developing grazing reserves across the nation as a key initiative to significantly reduce its annual milk import bill, which currently stands at $1.5 billion. The Federal Government's ambitious plan also aims to enhance livestock productivity and substantially grow the sector's contribution to the national economy, targeting $74 billion by the year 2030.

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It is infrastructure; it is not a one-day, two-day, one-month venture. Work is ongoing at different levels at Kawu in Bwari Area Council, Wase and Wawa-Zange grazing reserves in Gombe, Plateau and the FCT. We are working with the states involved and other partners to provide necessary infrastructure. Work is ongoing, and as soon as we reach a good level, then we’ll go on another facility or inspection.

This government-led project is designed to encourage pastoralists to establish permanent settlements within designated grazing reserves. The expected outcomes include improved animal health, increased meat and milk production, more effective disease surveillance, and a notable reduction in the persistent conflicts between farmers and herders. These reserves are envisioned as controlled environments that will facilitate better management and care for livestock.

Despite challenges with slow budget releases, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development reports that work is actively progressing on grazing reserves in the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, and Gombe states. Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Head of Press and Public Relations for the ministry, confirmed ongoing infrastructure development at key sites like Kawu in the Bwari Area Council and Wase and Wawa-Zange reserves. The ministry is collaborating with state governments and other partners to ensure the provision of necessary facilities, including the recent groundbreaking for a borehole and pasture planting at Kawu.

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We did the groundbreaking at Kawu for the drilling of a borehole and pasture planting and all of that, and we had signed an MOU with the Rural Electrification Agency to provide solar power for the grazing reserves. So, as I said, work is ongoing, and you know how it is with budgets. Budgets have been slow. Like REA, they are also government-funded. So if releases are slow, it’ll affect the pace of their work.

Uchechukwu further highlighted collaborations with the Rural Electrification Agency to install solar power in these reserves, emphasizing the long-term vision for sustainable development. She explained that improved livestock management within these contained spaces will lead to increased animal body mass, resulting in more meat production, and enhanced dairy output. This integrated approach is crucial for scaling up the nation's GDP and achieving the ambitious economic targets set for the livestock sector.

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We are trying to scale up our GDP from $32bn to $74bn by 2030. So at the end of the day, the idea is to have pastoralists settle there; it’ll also improve animal health. If we have them in one place. If there is any outbreak, we can carry out necessary detection, because they are within a contained space. It will also improve body mass so they don’t spend all their energies trekking length and breadth of the town. In terms of body mass, we will be having more meat. In terms of dairy production, the animals will have more ene