Daniel Adaji
Nigeria has signalled its ambition to tap into the multi-trillion-dollar global livestock market as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to promote ranching as a sustainable production model.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made this known on Thursday, during an inspection tour of Manchong Integrated Farms Limited in Nasarawa State, where he described ranching as a viable, scalable and already existing component of Nigeria’s livestock ecosystem.
Maiha said the facility demonstrated modern livestock production practices, including feed and fodder development as well as genetic resource management, noting that the farm remained productive despite the dry season.
“What we have seen here is a practical proof of concept,” the Minister said, explaining that ranching involves confining animals within a defined space with adequate feed, water and management. He added that the farm sustained lush Mombasa, Napier and Brachiaria grasses, housed over 300 cattle across major beef and dairy breeds, and produced surplus feed annually.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development plans to partner with Manchong Integrated Farms on feed and fodder seed production and genetic improvement, as part of efforts to scale up livestock productivity nationwide.
Maiha disclosed that with the farm already supplying fodder to states such as Jigawa and Yobe, the model could evolve into a national fodder supermarket, allowing small-scale livestock owners to order feed remotely.
On genetic improvement, the Minister said the farm would serve as a pilot centre for breeding programmes. “For most of the genetic materials we intend to introduce into the country, we will first work with this farm to produce offsprings that can then be multiplied and propagated across Nigeria. This makes the farm a lighthouse and a pilot that has demonstrated beyond doubt that this can be done,” he stated.
Earlier, the owner of the farm, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said the initiative was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of ranching as a solution to recurring farmer–herder conflicts, particularly in northern Nigeria.
“We wanted to show our people that ranching is not a far-fetched idea. It is doable. If we replicate this model across Nigeria, we can address insecurity, promote peace and unlock massive economic opportunities,” Dogara said.
He also highlighted the economic prospects of the livestock sector, noting that the global dairy and beef market alone is valued at about $2.5 trillion, with northern Nigeria accounting for over 70 per cent of the country’s livestock population.
“Even if Nigeria captures just five to ten per cent of this market, that is about $25 billion annually. The potential is huge, but we must move from talk to investment,” he added.
Also speaking, a livestock business partner to the Botswana Embassy in Abuja, Clinton Agbo, described Manchong Integrated Farms as well positioned for international collaboration.
“This is my second visit here, including one with the Botswana High Commissioner. We see this farm as an ideal place to commence a pilot scheme. The High Commissioner views this as a Pan-African effort where Botswana can support and Nigerians can lead, for the benefit of Africa,” Agbo said.
The visit underscores the Federal Government’s broader strategy to reposition Nigeria’s livestock sector for global competitiveness through structured ranching, improved genetics and market-driven investments.
