Ranching Shaping Nigeria's Livestock Future.

The Federal Government has reinforced its commitment to ranching as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s long-term livestock development strategy, signalling a major shift towards sustainable agriculture, food security and economic diversification.

This position was restated during an inspection visit by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, to Manchong Integrated Farms Limited in Nasarawa State.

Leading senior ministry officials and key industry stakeholders, the Minister described the farm as a compelling demonstration that modern ranching is not only possible in Nigeria, but also scalable, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable. According to him, the facility challenges long-standing assumptions that ecological and climatic conditions limit the success of ranching systems in the country.

Maiha explained that the farm operates a fully integrated livestock model, combining structured animal management with year-round feed and fodder production, effective water management and genetic improvement programmes. He observed that the farm maintained lush green pastures even during the dry season, underscoring the potential of climate-smart agriculture to transform Nigeria’s livestock value chain.

The facility reportedly cultivates improved grass varieties such as Mombasa, Napier and Brachiaria, manages over 300 cattle across both beef and dairy breeds, and produces surplus animal feed annually. These achievements, the Minister noted, align with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development’s reform agenda aimed at boosting productivity, reducing import dependence and strengthening rural livelihoods.

Building on these outcomes, Maiha disclosed plans for the ministry to collaborate with Manchong Integrated Farms on fodder seed production and genetic improvement initiatives. He added that the farm’s existing supply of fodder to states including Jigawa and Yobe positions it as a strategic hub for scaling a national feed system. Such a system, he said, would support small-scale livestock producers, stabilise supply chains and enhance overall sector efficiency.

The Minister further revealed that the facility would serve as a pilot centre for planned breeding programmes under the ministry’s reform framework. New genetic materials, he noted, would be developed and multiplied at the farm before being distributed nationwide.

Earlier, the owner of Manchong Integrated Farms, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said the project was designed to demonstrate ranching as a practical solution to farmer–herder conflicts, particularly in northern Nigeria. He stressed that replicating the model could reduce insecurity, promote peaceful coexistence and unlock significant economic opportunities across the region.

Dogara highlighted the sector’s vast economic potential, noting that the global dairy and beef market is valued at about 2.5 trillion dollars, while northern Nigeria accounts for over 70 per cent of the country’s livestock population. He said capturing even a fraction of the global market could generate substantial revenue for Nigeria.

Also speaking, a livestock business partner to the Botswana Embassy in Abuja, Mr Clinton Agbo, described the farm as a strong platform for international collaboration, adding that discussions were ongoing to establish a pilot programme with a Pan-African outlook led by Nigerian stakeholders.

Demand for breeding ewes and rams continues to rise, with shortages already emerging.

Dorper sheep breeding in Zimbabwe is experiencing renewed growth, with rising demand, strong auction prices and expanding breeder participation signalling a positive turnaround for the sector.

This upward trajectory was highlighted by the first-ever Dorper sale held in Matabeleland on 28 November 2025 in Bulawayo - a landmark event for the country’s small-stock industry.

Zimbabwe Dorper Sheep Breeders Association chairperson William Hundermark told that Matabeleland had never previously hosted a Dorper sale. He explained that Zimbabwe’s stud breeding industry, including the Dorper breed, suffered heavily during the land redistribution programme, which led to the emigration of many established breeders. The situation was further compounded by recurring foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, which restricted livestock movement and prevented large-scale auctions.

Hundermark described the Bulawayo auction as a major breakthrough, noting that it exceeded expectations. “The top registered Type 5 ram sold for US$2 000 (around R33 864), and several others sold in the range of US$1 800 to US$1 850 (R30 476 to R31 322). Many rams achieved US$1 500 to US$1 550 (R25 397 to R26 244), and even the Type 4 unregistered rams made between US$1 000 and US$1 500 (R16 932 to R25 397). The Type 3 rams ranged from US$600 to just over US$1 000 (R10 159 to R16 932,” he said. “For a sale with no prior track record in the region, these prices were phenomenal.”

Providing further context, Hundermark referenced the Zimbabwe Herd Book National Breed Sale held in July 2025, where a Dorper ram from his Northern Dorper Stud fetched a record US$4 300 (R72 808). Average ram prices stood at US$2 700 (R45 716), while ewes sold between $550 and $600, with a top price of US$700. “What this tells us is that across Zimbabwe, demand for quality Dorper genetics is climbing sharply. Farmers are seeing the value in small-stock, and Dorpers keep proving themselves year after year,” he said.

Demand for breeding ewes and rams continues to rise, with shortages already emerging. The association now has nearly 80 members, compared to just six in 1958, reflecting the breed’s growing national footprint.

Veteran breeder Rose van de Ruit, who began with 20 sheep in 1998 and now manages a flock exceeding 400, emphasised the importance of genetics and management.
“Over the years, I have learnt the importance of selective mating and the role genetics plays in the breeding of good animals,” De Ruit said.

Despite persistent challenges such as high feed costs, vaccine shortages, limited access to land and finance, Hundermark remains optimistic. “Overall, these challenges are real, but they can be solved with coordinated planning, industry unity, and supportive national policy,” Hundermark concluded.

Nigeria and Botswana collaborates to modernise livestock sector. (Image credit: Federal Ministry of Livestock Development)

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing evidence-based policies aimed at modernising the country’s livestock sector, positioning it as a major driver of economic growth.

This was emphasised by the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, during a courtesy visit from Her Excellency Philda Nani Kereng, High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Nigeria, on Friday, 12th December 2025, at the Ministry in Abuja.

Minister Maiha highlighted the need for Nigeria to move beyond outdated livestock systems and adopt structured reforms that boost productivity, encourage value addition, and ensure sustainable livelihoods for farmers and other stakeholders along the livestock value chain.

“The Botswana experience is a major inspiration. Your nation has achieved in 50 years what the world continues to study, and we are interested in domesticating many of those lessons,” he said.

He added, “Nigeria, as the largest market in Africa, is ready to expand its livestock sector to compete globally, while also partnering with Botswana to accelerate the journey,” noting Botswana’s notable achievements in beef exports to Europe, transboundary disease management, and the integration of technology in livestock traceability.

Minister Maiha also stressed Nigeria’s readiness to learn from Botswana’s model as the Ministry embarks on a plan to rehabilitate and modernise 417 grazing reserves across the country into structured ranching ecosystems.

In response, High Commissioner Kereng highlighted Botswana’s five-decade success in beef production and export to Europe, attributing it to deliberate policies, strong governance, and extensive support systems for farmers. She explained that Botswana’s livestock sector evolved from a rural development model focused on agriculture, supported by legislation and policies enabling farmers to produce high-quality cattle for both livelihood improvement and national economic growth.

Her Excellency further noted that Botswana’s beef sector, second only to diamonds in national revenue, thrives on strict disease-control measures, communal land management, targeted veterinary interventions, and highly subsidised farmer support programmes.

She outlined areas for potential collaboration with Nigeria, including beef quality improvement through enhanced genetics, modern abattoir practices, disease management, veterinary protocols, vaccine production, livestock traceability, and grazing management, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing sustainable and competitive livestock development.

Nigeria aims to lead West Africa towards a more secure and resilient livestock future.(Image credit: AgroNigeria)

Nigeria has once again reaffirmed its pivotal role in safeguarding West Africa’s livestock sector, strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against transboundary animal diseases that continue to threaten food security and rural livelihoods across the sub-region.

At the opening of the Regional Training on Strengthening Capacities for PPR and Other Transboundary Animal Diseases held in Abuja, the Federal Government emphasised that collaborative action is essential to accelerate livestock transformation and protect millions of households dependent on the sector.

Addressing participants, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, highlighted the nation’s strong commitment to advancing the Pan-African PPR Eradication Programme and strengthening Africa’s collective resilience. According to her, Nigeria is implementing extensive upgrades to its animal health surveillance systems to better detect, monitor, and prevent cross-border disease spread.

Dr. Akujobi noted that the Federal Government is deepening surveillance mechanisms by enhancing the National Animal Disease Information System, fostering stronger laboratory–field coordination under the One Health approach, and expanding partnerships with ECOWAS-RAHC, AU-IBAR, FAO, and WOAH to ensure that national animal health initiatives align with broader regional and continental strategies. These efforts reflect Nigeria’s leadership in harmonising disease control frameworks across West Africa.

She further explained that Nigeria’s decision to host the regional training demonstrates its readiness to support neighbouring countries in capacity building, technical cooperation, and coordinated surveillance. According to her, disease outbreaks in rural communities go beyond animal losses—they weaken resilience, disrupt local economies, and slow down agricultural advancement. She stressed that the continent must shift from reactive emergency responses to proactive, data-driven surveillance systems if Africa is to meet the global PPR eradication target by 2030.

Highlighting ongoing challenges, Dr. Akujobi pointed out that the region continues to face a range of transboundary and zoonotic threats including Foot and Mouth Disease, African Swine Fever, Anthrax, and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. These diseases, she said, collectively undermine food systems, livestock productivity, and household incomes. She called for stronger collaboration among veterinarians, epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, border authorities, wildlife regulators, and pastoral communities, noting that each stakeholder plays a critical role in prevention and control.

In his address, the FAO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Tofeek Braimah, emphasised the severe socio-economic impact of PPR, describing it as one of the most destructive viral diseases affecting sheep and goats. He reiterated that although the 2030 eradication goal is ambitious, it remains achievable through sustained political commitment, strong partnerships, and synchronised regional action. Dr. Braimah reaffirmed FAO’s unwavering support to member states and regional institutions in their animal health efforts.

Through enhanced cooperation, innovative surveillance, and strengthened regional coordination, Nigeria aims to lead West Africa towards a more secure and resilient livestock future.