agriculture
FG To Harness Crop Residues To Boost Feed Security
R-L: Director Animal Husbandry Services, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Mallam Umar Ahmed Mohammed; Dr. Ari Maikano, representative of the Hon. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Issa Aliyu Kabir; representative of the Permanent Secretary MARD., Dr. Abdulateef Olugbon; Deputy Director FMAFS, Mr. Yekini Razaki at the review of the policy document in Ilorin.
The Federal Government has restated its commitments to boosting animal feed production by harnessing crop residues and increase investments in alternative feed resources, strengthen coordination of regulations and standards to mitigate the challenges of high costs of feed in the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi restated the commitment at a state-level review of the draft National Animal Feed and Fodder Policy Document, organized for Kwara, Kogi and Abuja in Ilorin.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director, Kwara State Coordinating Office of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Issa Aliyu Kabir disclosed that when the policy became operational, it would improve animals’ feed production, reduce over-dependent on the use of maize, millet, soyabean and others for animals’ feed production and also help to strengthen food security of the country.
“As you are all aware, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), through the Department of Animal Husbandry Services (DAHS) successfully conducted the 1st and 2nd National Animal Feed Summit held in 2021 and 2023 respectively, as well as Stakeholders Consultative Meeting for the draft National Animal Feed and Fodder Policy Document. These review sessions attracted key stakeholders in the livestock industry, particularly the feed and fodder sub-sector.
“During these engagements, critical issues were raised on the need to strategically develop a comprehensive feed and fodder sector database, harness crop residues to boost feed security and safeguard the environment, and prioritize efforts and investments in harnessing alternative feed to mitigate the challenges of high costs of feed in the sector”, the Minister explained.
He said further that to ensure adequate participation in the policy process, the state-level review of the draft Animal Feed and Fodder Policy Document became necessary for seamless implementation.
In his welcome address, the Director, Animal Husbandry Services, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mallam Umar Ahmed Mohammed stated that the stakeholders review of the animal feed policy is to ensure collective solution to the problem of herders and farmers in the country.
Mallam Mohammed commended the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for providing an enabling environment that made it possible to host the event in the state.
In her remarks, the representative of the Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Abah Helen, a Deputy Director from the Ministry, said the draft policy document will reduce the migration of animals from one place to another and guide against frequent conflicts between herders and farmers, adding that the programme will improve animals’ health and increase their productivity.
In his contribution, the Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Services, FMAFS, Mr. Yekini Razaki said the present administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would continue to involve all critical stakeholders in animal production in the formulation of its policies and programmes for acceptability by all.
The Programme Coordinating Officer, Mrs. Vivian Ibe had earlier explained that one of the key priorities of the present administration is to ensure feed and food security in the country.
According to her, the policy will encourage intensive or sedentary ruminant farming where farmers will begin to adopt a ranching system, and encourage the government to establish grazing reserve, as a way to mitigate herders/farmers clash in the country.
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