FG Restate Commitment to Digitisation of Livestock Sector
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
The federal government has expressed its commitment to support innovative technology that would bring sustainable development in the livestock sector.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Mr. Idris Abiola-Ajimobi, gave the commitment in Ibadan, at the 2024 Southwest cattle, sheep and goat farmers day-out and exhibition, organised by his office in conjunction with Proteintrail Technology, Real People Concept and other stakeholders.
The exhibition with the theme, “Sustaining Livestock Resilience in Changing Times : Innovation Collaboration and Growth for the Ruminant Sector,” was aimed at bringing livestock farmers, feed mill producers and other stakeholders in the livestock value chain together to share ideas, experience and challenges.
Abiola-Ajimobi said the federal government has commenced work on a robust master plan that would provide a platform for ruminants farmers in the country to thrive, adding that government through the Ministry of Livestock Development and his office would continue to engage with ruminants farmers in order to proffer lasting solution to the challenges facing the sector.
Speaking at the event, the CEO of Proteintrail Technology, Muritala Alade Bamgbala, said digitalization of the livestock industry would gradually stop farmer’s herders clashes, stating that the digitization would birth a system whereby both sellers and buyers and other stakeholders in the livestock industry could be properly monitored.
He added that Nigeria has not been able to tap into the livestock export market because of lack transparency and traceability of players in the industry, insisting that the digital solution would give established institutions opportunity of knowing the history of the livestock they wish to buy.
According to him, “Meat inspection act started in the United States in 1906 where no one can sell meat to the public without a health certificate from a relevant authority. Certification of livestock across abattoirs in Nigeria has always come in a hard copy, livestock digitalization will prevent fake meat certificate and encourage transparency.”
Also speaking, the Managing Director, Real People Concept, Pastor Tunmise Olagbaju, in his remarks, reiterated that livestock industry in the country, especially ruminant has great potential that has not been maximized, stating that the exhibition would enable ruminants farmers to come together to have a voice, gain necessary attentions, learn and network together to achieve more.
