There has been concern about the state of the livestock industry, valued at N13 trillion. Analysts still see it as one of the most inefficient food-production system in Africa with less focus on new technologies and other factors that can drive the transformation of the sub-sector. They said it was time to revitalise the sector, to handle emerging challenges. Botswana’s  success story is what they suggested Nigeria should adopt in terms of product quality, safety, and sustainability, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Nigeria is a major producer of livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. Its cattle population is estimated at 20 million. However, according to analysts, the nation is the largest importer of milk in the region, with an annual bill of $1.3 billion.

While the nation has a larger number of livestock, the Managing Director, Chanan Elo’a Integrated   and dairy expert, Mr Udeme Etuk, said there were no large meat processing plants. When compared  to  Botswana livestock sector  with a small number of cattle production which allows its farmers to export their meat, Etuk said the country was still far  away  from its  aspiration.

He  said  Nigeria has the potential to feed itself and also meet the demands of big markets abroad if there was enough support for farmers to seriously take up small stock production.

Analysts said Botswana has an over $5 billion livestock industry, with all its international markets and their strict veterinary requirements.  According to the data from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Botswana’s herd is put at 2.1 million.

Over the past five years, livestock contribution to its economy amounted to $2.9 million according to data from the Trade Map.

Etuk was not ashamed to recommend that Nigeria must adopt Botswana’s formula to grow the local industry.

According to him, one of Botswana’s greatest assets is rangelands. He said there are various facilities to help farmers export livestock.  For instance, he said the ranches have feedlots and abattoirs.

He said: “Botswana has a very advanced livestock industry. They converted the Kalahari Desert to a conducive place to breed cattle. They have also domesticated buffalos for the production of beef and milk.”

He added: “The government has banned the importation of dairy products completely and subsidised the production of fodder and other related products needed by the livestock industry. They are presently Africa’s major exporter of beef to Europe.”

In a recent meeting stakeholders im the Nigerian Agricultural front began considering commercializing the country's dairy sector as well as all other livestock sectors. One stakeholder seeking to replicate Botswana’s success story in Nigeria is Prof. Eustace Iyayi, executive secretary, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS).

He believes the nation’s N13 trillion livestock industry could be galvanised into a major revenue-generating avenue with the application of technology and innovations.

For him, ranches remain the basis of livestock industry and production. Without ranches, his concern was that the industry would not have healthy cows to support livestock production.