The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to curbing national food shortages, rural poverty, and youth unemployment through expanded livestock development and agrifood value chain reforms. 

Speaking on Monday, August 17, 2026, at the 2nd International Conference of the Agrifood Systems Stakeholders Forum held at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Minister of Livestock Development Idi Maiha stated that the government is actively mobilising private-sector and academic partnerships to modernise the nation’s agrifood systems.

Represented by the Director of Ruminant and Monogastric Development, Victor Egbon, Minister Maiha praised the Agricultural Policy Research Network (APRNet) for organising the conference. 

He acknowledged severe environmental and systemic pressures facing producers, including climate variability, flooding, animal disease outbreaks, high input costs, and weak market linkages. 

“Within these challenges lies a compelling opportunity to build agrifood systems that are more productive, inclusive and climate-resilient, while creating decent jobs for women and young people,” Maiha noted, citing commercial opportunities in feed milling, commercial hatcheries, dairy collection, logistics, and waste-to-wealth enterprises.

In his opening address, Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Princewill Chike, described commercial agriculture as a vital tool to counter brain drain and youth emigration, commonly known as the ‘Japa’ syndrome. 

Emphasising policy continuity, Chike urged governments across Africa to make farming financially attractive to young graduates. 

APRNet President and Conference Coordinator, Prof. Anthony Onoja, added that the forum, supported by the Federal Government, European Union, and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), was designed to bridge academic research and actionable public policy to build agricultural resilience.

Source: Punch News
Image Credit: FMLD