FMARD

HE Federal government, through the Ministry of
Agriculture, has mapped out strategies to tackle
challenges in goat and sheep farming in the
country with a view to shifting the paradigm
from the low input/low output subsistence
system to commercial and intensive production
by 2015.
This was revealed, last week, at the ‘sheep and
goat value chain growth enhancement support
scheme sensitization workshop,’ organised by
the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development (FMARD) at OYSADEP conference
hall, moor plantation Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Assistant Director, Federal
Livestock Department and Desk Officer, sheep
and goat value chain Mr John Taiwo, who noted
that although sheep and goat contributed 32%
meat compared to 22% cattle, and provided skins
which earned foreign exchange, intensification
and commercialisation of the sheep and goats
had not been given required attention.
He highlighted the major challenges to include
diseases, such as Peste des Petit Ruminant (PPR
Kata), parasites, dry season feeding, and poor
management.
Other challenges include the low genetic
predisposition of the Nigerian sheep /goat breeds;
the slaughter of large number of pregnant female
large ruminants; lack of modern marketing
system which leaves producers at the mercy of
middlemen that exploit them for their own
benefits, among many other challenges.
The livestock department, therefore, according to
Mr Taiwo, was introducing compounded
commercial feed to support the improvement in
productivity and production of sheep/goats in
order to make it a worthwhile business for the
farmers and close protein deficiency gap in the
country.
The Sheep and Goat desk officer, who disclosed
that the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme
(GES) revolved around animal health care and
feed, said the focus was on the small holder
farmers who were already in the business.
South-West Regional Director of FMARD, who
was represented by Dr Adesegun Oyekoya, said
the agric transformation agenda was to increase
meat output from the current 440,109 to
585,785 metric tonnes; improve population of
sheep and goats by 30 per cent, from 92,043,900
to 119,657,070; generate over 450,000 new jobs,
among others.
Also, Oyo State Director of FMARD, Mr Adebayo
Lasisi, said that the ministry was set to upgrade
capacity along the value chain and provide
enabling environment for effective linkage of all
stakeholders, adding that technical assistance
would be provided where necessary to ensure
improved supply of wholesome meat, food
security, job and wealth creation.
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