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In The Spotlight

Nigeria’s livestock plan set to drive growth

Livestock

Nigeria’s livestock sector is gaining fresh attention as a new development framework promises to open up opportunities across the industry.

The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Akajiugo Emeka Obegolu, has shared an optimistic outlook, stating that the initiative could create up to 350,000 jobs within its first two years.

According to Obegolu, the framework is designed to attract investment and support growth across the entire livestock value chain. Central to this effort is the planned Livestock Development Fund, which aims to make financing more accessible for farmers, processors, and other stakeholders. With better access to funding, businesses in the sector are expected to expand and improve their operations.

He also praised the current administration for establishing a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as a timely and strategic move. This step, he explained, gives the sector the focused attention it needs to reach its full potential. Rather than taking direct control, the government is encouraged to create supportive policies and regulations that allow private investors to play a leading role.

The scale of opportunity within the livestock industry is significant. Obegolu noted that the sector could be worth around 33 trillion naira, covering areas such as meat production, dairy, leather, and poultry. With proper planning and investment, these segments can contribute strongly to economic growth.

He highlighted the importance of improving key areas such as feed systems, animal breeding, and veterinary services. Advancing techniques like artificial insemination and better genetics can help increase productivity and efficiency across farms.

Another major focus is the need to modernise how meat is processed and transported. Moving away from the traditional practice of transporting live animals over long distances, he suggested a system that relies on processed meat and cold chain logistics. This approach would reduce losses, maintain quality, and improve overall efficiency.

With growing collaboration between the government and private sector, the livestock industry is steadily moving towards a more structured and sustainable future. The proposed framework is expected to support job creation, improve food supply, and strengthen Nigeria’s wider economy.

Nigeria partners with Nestlé to build skills and transform dairy production (Image credit: AgroNigeria)

Machinery & Equipment

The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a fresh step towards improving its dairy sector through a new agreement with Nestlé Nigeria Plc.

This partnership will lead to the creation of a Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre in the Federal Capital Territory, aimed at strengthening local production and improving the livestock value chain.

Speaking in Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the agreement as more than a formal step. He explained that it is a practical move to tackle one of the sector’s biggest challenges, which is the lack of technical knowledge and hands on farming skills.

Despite Nigeria’s large cattle population, dairy output remains low. The Minister pointed out the gap clearly, stating, “The reality is that our traditional pastoral systems currently yield an average of merely one to two litres of milk per cow daily.” He explained that this situation is caused by several long standing issues.

“This low productivity is directly linked to a systematic deficit in modern husbandry practices, inadequate feed formulation and lack of clean portable water, as well as impact of climate change and a lack of proficiency in essential areas such as artificial insemination, herd health management and milk hygiene leading to huge post-harvest losses,” he added.

The new centre is expected to serve as a place where farmers can gain real experience and learn modern techniques. Maiha stressed the importance of practical learning, saying, “We are actively aware that theoretical knowledge, while important, cannot substitute for hands-on experience in farm management.”

He also highlighted the need to meet global standards. “Therefore I have directed that the curriculum for this centre must be rigorously benchmarked against the best standards in the global dairy industry.”

The training will focus mainly on practical work, covering areas such as breeding, animal care, feeding, hygiene, and farm management.

Nestlé Nigeria also shared its commitment to the project, noting its ongoing investment in dairy communities. “Through the project, Nestlé Nigeria has invested over 1.8 billion Naira to support dairy communities in and around Pai-Konkore and the Luger grazing reserves.”

This initiative is expected to improve productivity, increase farmers’ incomes, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on dairy imports.

South Africa raises alert as goss’s wilt spreads across maize regions

Agriculture

South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has issued an important update on the spread of Goss’s Wilt, a serious bacterial disease affecting maize

The announcement is directed at farmers, growers and the wider public, highlighting a change in the distribution of the disease and the need for continued awareness.

The disease was first identified in 2024 in four provinces, namely Free State, North West, Gauteng and Eastern Cape. After a detailed survey carried out in 2025, it has now been confirmed in additional regions including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Western Cape. At present, KwaZulu Natal remains the only province where no cases have been reported.

Efforts to manage the disease are ongoing, with the department working closely with research bodies and industry partners. Current work includes building a collection of local bacterial strains, improving testing and monitoring systems, and identifying maize varieties that can better tolerate or resist the disease. There is also a strong focus on sharing knowledge between farmers, scientists and policymakers, as well as developing practical guidance suited to different regions.

Goss’s Wilt is regulated under national agricultural laws, with measures in place to limit its spread. These rules are aimed at protecting unaffected areas by controlling the movement of plant material and farming equipment from infected zones. Maize remains the only crop of economic importance that is known to be affected.

The disease can spread in several ways. Within fields, it can move from plant to plant through direct contact. Over longer distances, it may travel through infected seeds, although this is considered rare. A more significant risk comes from farm equipment such as harvesters and planters, which can carry infected plant material between fields if not properly cleaned.

There are currently no chemical treatments available to control Goss’s Wilt. Farmers are therefore encouraged to rely on good farming practices, such as crop rotation, use of resistant varieties and careful handling of equipment. Strong hygiene and biosecurity measures remain essential to limit further spread and protect maize production across the country.

African Farming

Tractor of the Year awards ceremony at EIMA 2021

The 44th edition of EIMA International 2021 will host the Tractor of the Year awards ceremony, and feature a parade of the fourteen finalist models

The Bologna-based event focuses on new products and offers a wide-ranging showcase for Tractor of the Year, the competition promoted by Trattori magazine, that selects the best models among those produced during the year, and awards prizes to the winners from different categories.

During the exhibition, the awards ceremony will be held for four models - Tractor of the Year, Best Utility, Best of Specialised and Sustainable TOTY - that have been selected on the basis of votes cast by an international jury of 26 journalists from trade publications.

The Tractor of the Year event will be a major attraction throughout the five days of the event. It is expected to be one of the most interesting new features of this year's EIMA International.

The open-air arena within the exhibition complex, between halls 37 and 35, has been chosen to display the finalist tractors. The audience can expect to see the fourteen models that competed for the "Tractor of the Year" on display in the open-air arena, while a speaker will introduce the technical features of each of the models. 

TOTY is an important promotional and marketing platform for the manufacturers of the tractor sector, which is able to develop substantial technological innovations every year, improve vehicle performance, and capture new user segments.

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Event News

Simona Rapastella, general manager, FederUnacoma. (Image source: FederUnacoma)

Event News

Based on an emphatic response for participation, FederUnacoma has announced the expansion of exhibition grounds to accommodate a grand display of high quality equipment at EIMA International 2026, an influential agricultural machinery trade show in Bologna

Set to be held from 10-14 November, more than 60,000 models of machinery and technologies are estimated to be on display. “EIMA brings together much of the technical, economic and relationship-building work carried out by the Federation, all aimed at fostering cooperation among countries,” said general manager, Simona Rapastella. 

FederUnacoma has received confirmation from 1,800 exhibiting companies till date (with more than 100 still on the waiting list). This means the exhibition grounds will be full to maximum capacity (with over 60,000 models of machinery and technologies on display). Visitors from 150 countries are expected, while official ICE delegations from 90 countries have been confirmed, in addition to those of Italian and European parliamentarians; the area known as “Extend” will also host government institutions and representatives of the agri-food sector.

“This year, the fair will have an even more impressive visual impact,” added Rapastella, “given the quality of the booth design proposals that exhibiting companies are sending to our organising staff."

According to FederUnacoma -- which provides trade show management training through its AFI Academy -- trade shows and exhibitions play a major role in advancing the agricultural machinery industry. This belief is also backed by statistical and economic surveys from the Manufacturers’ Federation, a co-organiser of EIMA. In collaboration with the University of Bologna and the Italian trade agency ICE, the Federation has developed specific training programmes for member companies to prepare them for trade shows. These will train in leveraging trade shows as venues for communication and networking, promote awareness in trade show marketing, and advanced stand design methodologies, among other things.

“The trade show optimises marketing efforts, curates technologies, highlights new trends, and builds relationships of trust among industry professionals from around the world,” said Rapastella, “and this is invaluable at a historic moment when protectionism and geopolitical tensions are holding back the sector.” “But above all,” she added, “the EIMA exhibition bridges the gap between countries and fosters all forms of cooperation, from commercial and industrial collaboration to scientific and technological research.”

Visitor registration ensuring free entry is currently open for the 2026 edition. (Image source: VIV Africa)

Aviagen Anadolu on the future of poultry production. (Image source: Aviagen)

Livestock

Africa's capacity to produce aquatic animal foods remain limited. (Image source: FAO)

Aquaculture

While fisheries and aquaculture make up a significant part of Africa's food economy, the market has been feeling the strain from steadily rising demand 

The rapid global expansion of the aquaculture industry at 235 million tonnes in 2024 has failed to reflect in the African regions, which recorded the lowest availability of aquatic animal foods per capita globally. This stands despite the region makes up a significant share of animal protein demand – about 19 percent on average.

“Across Africa, communities rely on aquatic animal foods for nutrition, and in some countries these foods provide as much as 54 per cent of animal protein,” said Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, while speaking on the 2026 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture that has been launched recently by the organisation. “Their production also supports jobs, highlighting their critical role in the blue economy, especially for low-income and vulnerable populations.”

According to available data, production is unsurprisingly concentrated in countries with major freshwater systems such as river basins and lakes. Among the top five producers, Uganda leads with output of just over 0.5 million tonnes, followed by the United Republic of Tanzania, Nigeria, Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Aquatic animal farming is highly concentrated, with the top five producing countries accounting for 90 per cent of the continent’s output. The leading producer is Egypt with 1.6 million tonnes in 2024 (66 per cent of the regional total), followed by Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Zambia.

Africa's capacity to produce aquatic animal foods is still limited to 9.1 kg per person per year – less than half the global average of 21.1 kg per person per year in 2023. Africa, however, maintains a positive trade balance (US$2bn) and a net gain in protein (126 000 tonnes), as it exports high-value commodities and imports low-value, yet nutrient-rich, aquatic animal products that support food security and nutrition. 

Africa's fisheries and aquaculture industry is primarily led by small-scale operators. Small-scale fisheries form the backbone of both marine and inland production systems, driving local economies and food distribution, supporting household nutrition, subsistence activities and informal markets. Women play a particularly important role in post-harvest activities such as processing and marketing.

“When accounting for the full value chain, including informal and subsistence activities, the sector supports tens of millions of livelihoods across the African region, both directly and indirectly,” says Abebe Haile-Gabriel. “Strengthening fisheries and aquaculture will be essential to meet growing demand, improve food security and sustain livelihoods across Africa.”

GEA takes AI dairy farming to the next level with New Belfast Software Lab.(Image credit: GEA)

Nigeria’s livestock plan set to drive growth

Crops

Awareness play a significant role in expanding subsidy reach.

Agriculture

Africa, especially the eastern and southern regions, where the agricultural sector is central for food and nutrition security, economic development, and rural livelihoods, subsidies and broader public support policies are critical to building resilient, inclusive food systems to advance sustainable development objectives 

Input subsidy programmes, including inorganic fertiliser and maize seed, eat up most of the public investments, however. It should rather be channelised towards broader policy interventions that cover extension and research and development. 

The International Institute for Sustainable Development has released a report titled 'From Subsidies to Sustainability', trying to identify the best conditions for reforming public support to agriculture improve productivity, equity and environmental sustainability outcomes in Eastern and Southern Africa? It takes note of public support and reform experiences in Kenya, Malawi and Zambia, exploring how different subsidy models have influenced development outcomes and identifying lessons learned from these experiences.

Kenya, for example, can rely on centralised subsidy programmes for prompt stabilisation of input prices in cases of market volatilities, but affect longer-term progress on equity and sustainability goals.

In Malawi, sustained long-term efforts in the way of soil health pilots can transform agriculture and food systems to grow resilient but may come at the cost of temporary reductions in yields.

Subsidies are more than just input price reductions, going beyond affordability to also include equitable access. Access inequality marked many African countries, where the poorest and most marginalised farmers get left out of available schemes. While reforms have the power to cut down the costs of agricultural inputs, it cannot guarantee equal access unless distribution points are identified strategically to ensure uniform supply.

Arranging awareness programmes also play a significant role in expanding the reach of subsidies and support schemes. The effectiveness of subsidies also depends on soil health. Investments to boost the quality of degraded soils can ensure better results from fertilisers. Regional policy frameworks, such as the African Fertiliser and Soil Health Plan (2024–2034) are increasingly identifying the bridges that connect soil health and yields, as part of integrated soil health management and improved soil health for sustainable productivity growth.

Early findings from Malawi’s soil health pilots, corroborated by results from soil health pilots in India, points towards the need for organic and blended organic-inorganic inputs over inorganic fertilisers alongside support for soil management to increase yields.

Reforms and their impact are influenced by a combination of fiscal pressure, broader policies and local conditions for farmers. Price shocks in Kenya, debt reform in Zambia, and foreign exchange constraints in Malawi all played a role in creating space and political will for reform. The outcomes of these reforms depended on tenure security, access to extension services, the quality of inputs, access to finance, and markets for agricultural produce.

 

South Africa raises alert as goss’s wilt spreads across maize regions

Technology

Nigeria partners with Nestlé to build skills and transform dairy production (Image credit: AgroNigeria)

Machinery & Equipment

The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a fresh step towards improving its dairy sector through a new agreement with Nestlé Nigeria Plc.

This partnership will lead to the creation of a Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre in the Federal Capital Territory, aimed at strengthening local production and improving the livestock value chain.

Speaking in Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the agreement as more than a formal step. He explained that it is a practical move to tackle one of the sector’s biggest challenges, which is the lack of technical knowledge and hands on farming skills.

Despite Nigeria’s large cattle population, dairy output remains low. The Minister pointed out the gap clearly, stating, “The reality is that our traditional pastoral systems currently yield an average of merely one to two litres of milk per cow daily.” He explained that this situation is caused by several long standing issues.

“This low productivity is directly linked to a systematic deficit in modern husbandry practices, inadequate feed formulation and lack of clean portable water, as well as impact of climate change and a lack of proficiency in essential areas such as artificial insemination, herd health management and milk hygiene leading to huge post-harvest losses,” he added.

The new centre is expected to serve as a place where farmers can gain real experience and learn modern techniques. Maiha stressed the importance of practical learning, saying, “We are actively aware that theoretical knowledge, while important, cannot substitute for hands-on experience in farm management.”

He also highlighted the need to meet global standards. “Therefore I have directed that the curriculum for this centre must be rigorously benchmarked against the best standards in the global dairy industry.”

The training will focus mainly on practical work, covering areas such as breeding, animal care, feeding, hygiene, and farm management.

Nestlé Nigeria also shared its commitment to the project, noting its ongoing investment in dairy communities. “Through the project, Nestlé Nigeria has invested over 1.8 billion Naira to support dairy communities in and around Pai-Konkore and the Luger grazing reserves.”

This initiative is expected to improve productivity, increase farmers’ incomes, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on dairy imports.

The redesigned New Holland T7 Standard Wheelbase tractor, now available in the new Dynamic Blue colour. (Image credit: New Holland)

Truck Mounted Forklifts transform delivery efficiency in modern agriculture logistics. (Image credit: Shamrock Forklifts)

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