The Federal Government is set to deepen collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD) to accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector through strategic investments in breed improvement, animal health and disease management, feed and fodder development, and the implementation of the National Ranching Policy.Alternatively, for a more engaging news lead:
The Federal Government has initiated plans to strengthen its partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) to drive the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector through investments in ranching, breed improvement, animal health, feed production and other key value chain initiatives.The second version is more news-oriented and reads better as a professional lead.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance while receiving a delegation from the French Development Agency, led by its Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Jacky Amprou, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Maiha said the proposed partnership aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s livestock transformation agenda and would support the implementation of the National Ranching Policy through the development of selected grazing reserves into model ranches.
According to the minister, the initiative is aimed at reducing transhumance, improving livestock productivity, promoting peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, and fostering sustainable rural development.
He explained that the collaboration would complement the implementation of key sectoral initiatives, including the Nigeria Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), the National Livestock Master Plan (N-LMP), and the Nigeria Livestock Economic Advancement Project (N-LEAP), which has also attracted the interest of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Maiha commended the French Development Agency for its longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural sector, noting that the agency has supported livestock development in the country for more than two decades.
He highlighted some of AFD’s interventions, including the establishment of milk collection centres, regional livestock development programmes involving Nigeria, Niger and Mali, rural infrastructure projects, road construction and livestock market development initiatives.
The minister also acknowledged the agency’s role in supporting the rehabilitation of grazing reserves, particularly in Kwara State, describing it as evidence of the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the French development institution.
Speaking during the visit, the Country Director of the French Development Agency in Nigeria, Mr. Jacky Amprou, reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to provide both financial and technical support to advance the sustainable development of Nigeria’s livestock sector.
He said the agency would leverage the expertise of the wider French ecosystem and mobilise relevant stakeholders to work closely with the Federal Government in implementing priority livestock projects.
Amprou noted that the agency already has several regional initiatives and ongoing projects in Nigeria and expressed optimism that the partnership would be expanded to deliver greater impact.
He disclosed that the next phase of the collaboration would involve technical engagements between the Ministry of Livestock Development, the French Development Agency and the French Embassy to translate the discussions into concrete programmes.
The AFD Country Director commended the Minister and the management of the ministry for their commitment to transforming the livestock sector, expressing confidence that the partnership would contribute significantly to the modernisation, productivity and sustainability of Nigeria’s livestock industry.