FG DEVELOPS IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK FOR NATIONAL FEED AND FODDER POLICY TO BOOST LIVESTOCK PRODUCTIVITY

… Says framework will reduce production costs, enhance food security and promote peaceful coexistence

The Federal Government has developed an implementation framework for the National Feed and Fodder Policy as part of ongoing efforts to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector, improve productivity, reduce production costs, strengthen food security, promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and pastoralists, and create sustainable income opportunities for livestock farmers.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this on Monday, October 19, 2026, in Abuja, at a three-day stakeholders’ workshop organised to develop the implementation framework for the policy.

The Minister described the availability of adequate, affordable and quality feed and fodder as fundamental to sustainable livestock development, noting that inadequate access to animal feed remains one of the major challenges confronting livestock production in Nigeria.

According to him, feed and fodder account for approximately 70 per cent of the total cost of livestock production, making their availability, accessibility, quality and affordability critical to improving productivity and enhancing the profitability of livestock enterprises.

He explained that, seasonal shortages of pasture and water continue to constrain livestock production and intensify competition over natural resources, sometimes resulting in conflicts between farmers and pastoralists.

Maiha stressed that, developing a sustainable feed and fodder value chain would help address these challenges by encouraging livestock owners to adopt organised production systems that ensure adequate feeding and proper management of their animals.

He noted that , when livestock producers have sufficient feed resources, the need for animals to roam in search of pasture would be significantly reduced, thereby minimising crop destruction, disputes over farmland and other resource-related conflicts.

The Minister, therefore, called for a transition from overdependence on unmanaged natural grazing to organised, commercially viable and climate-resilient feed and fodder production systems capable of ensuring year-round availability.

Highlighting opportunities for expanding Nigeria’s feed resources, Maiha urged stakeholders to harness agricultural by-products, particularly rice straw and other crop residues, which are often wasted despite their potential value as livestock feed.

Drawing from his personal experience in livestock farming, the Minister explained how rice straw could be collected, preserved and supplemented with other feed materials to support animal nutrition, particularly during periods of scarcity.

He identified rice-producing communities in Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa and Benue States as areas with considerable potential for recovering agricultural residues and converting them into valuable livestock feed resources rather than allowing them to go to waste or be burnt.

“Nigeria has considerable opportunities to address feed shortages through better resource utilisation, improved storage and preservation methods, fodder cultivation and investment in appropriate technologies,” the Minister stated.

He also emphasised the need to strengthen fodder seed production and promote suitable, resilient grass varieties adapted to the country’s diverse ecological zones.

Maiha encouraged stakeholders to embrace innovative and scientifically informed approaches to feed production, noting that sustainable livestock development would depend on practical solutions, effective partnerships and the responsible utilisation of available resources.

Earlier in his presentation, the Director of Ranch and Pastoral Resources Development in the Ministry, Dr. Hakeem Ibilade, outlined the key objectives of the workshop, which include developing a national implementation framework, strategic alignment matrix, roles and responsibilities matrix, resource mobilisation strategy, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework.

Dr. Ibilade explained that, the workshop was designed to address recurring dry-season shortages of feed and fodder through sustainable interventions that would ensure a consistent supply throughout the year.

He stressed the need to translate the policy from planning into practical implementation, eliminating the recurring situation in which feed availability fluctuates between periods of abundance and scarcity.

“The core goal is to produce an actionable, cost-effective and results-oriented operational blueprint for the feed and fodder sub-sector, providing a unified strategy that, aligns environmental, economic and social policy objectives,” he explained.

In his goodwill message, the National Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, reaffirmed the project’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the National Feed and Fodder Policy.

He disclosed that, all 29 L-PRES participating states would incorporate the policy’s implementation framework into their annual work plans to promote coordinated action and ensure effective delivery at the subnational level.

Dr. Abubakar also highlighted plans to develop 500 hectares of pastureland for key herders across selected states, emphasising that sustainability must extend beyond pasture cultivation to include the effective utilisation of fodder residues and other available resources.

He assured stakeholders that, future interventions would target larger pasture areas and incorporate measures to maximise the value of fodder residues, thereby ensuring long-term benefits for livestock producers.

Similarly, the representative of SAHEL Consulting Ltd., Temi Adegoroye, pledged the organisation’s continued support for the policy’s implementation and emphasised the need to integrate sustainability into all aspects of fodder development.

Adegoroye noted that, appropriate planning for the utilisation of fodder seeds and other outputs would be essential to maximising investments, reducing waste and ensuring lasting benefits across the feed and fodder value chain.

The three-day workshop brought together government officials, state representatives, development partners, private-sector operators, technical experts and other stakeholders to develop practical strategies, define implementation responsibilities and establish mechanisms for the effective execution of the National Feed and Fodder Policy.

The initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to building a productive, resilient and commercially viable livestock sector in line with its broader agenda for economic growth, food security and sustainable national development.

Henrietta Okokon
Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations Department
October 19, 2026.