The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has launched a specialised training programme for women and youths in the feed and fodder value chain, positioning improved livestock nutrition to higher productivity, job creation, and sustainable growth across Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The training, which commenced on Monday, December 15, 2025, in Abuja, is designed to address long-standing gaps in feed availability, quality, and affordability, issues that continue to limit livestock performance nationwide.
Participants are being equipped with hands-on skills in feed formulation, strategic ingredient selection, feed mill operations, hay bale production using local technology, and biosecurity practices, alongside training in feed mill insurance.
Declaring the programme open on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the Director (Technical), Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, represented by Dr Alike Peters, described the initiative as a shift from routine capacity-building to a results-driven intervention.
According to Dr Peters, feed accounts for more than 70 per cent of livestock production costs, making it the single most critical factor affecting productivity, competitiveness, and disputes over grazing resources.
“Improving animal nutrition is central to unlocking the genetic potential of livestock. Better feed directly translates to higher yields of meat, milk, and eggs,” he said, adding that the sector doubles its contribution to Nigeria’s economy to an estimated $74 billion.
He explained that the programme adopts a data-driven approach, with participants profiled to align training content with their specific interests across the feed and fodder value chain. This, he noted, would improve learning outcomes and enhance post-training impact.
Dr Peters also highlighted the strong participation of women and youths, describing them as critical to the success of the Ministry’s 10-year livestock strategic plan.
He stressed that sustainable livestock development depends on empowering these groups with market-relevant, climate-smart skills.
Source: FMLD
