Chris Infotainment

Addressing the Challenges of the Livestock Sector The 1st National Council on Livestock Development, held in Yola, Adamawa State on Monday, November 24, 2025, brought together key stakeholders to address pressing issues affecting the livestock sector. The conference, themed "Livestock Rebirth: Accelerating Renewed Hope," aimed to chart a course for the modernization of this crucial industry. Stakeholders such as farmers, investors, policy makers, technology developers, and parliamentarians gathered to discuss strategies for transforming the sector, which has long been plagued by crises. The minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, outlined the ministry’s achievements since its establishment a year ago. He emphasized that significant progress had been made, guided by initiatives like the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) and the National Livestock Master Plan. Maiha highlighted that the NL-GAS aims to increase the value of Nigeria...

Forensic Investigation Unveils Mismanagement at University Research Farm A forensic investigation into the University of Fort Hare's research farm has revealed serious allegations of mismanagement, fraud, and stock theft involving Nguni cattle. The findings, detailed in a report by Morar Incorporated, have led to criminal charges against the former farm manager and an auctioneering agent. The Leak of the Report The leaked investigation report highlighted how Nguni cattle from the Honeydale Research Farm were sold for below-market prices. The farm’s former manager, Dirk Potgieter, and one of his clients were charged with stock theft. Additionally, there were reports of missing sheep and cattle, raising concerns about the integrity of the farm’s operations. A Critical Incident on 18 October 2023 On 18 October 2023, a truck loaded with Nguni cattle was intercepted on its way to Bizana. The cattle, which belonged to the university, had been sold by Potgieter without following prop...

Benue State Supports Federal Livestock Policy The Benue State Government has expressed its readiness to work closely with the Federal Government on a new livestock management policy. This move comes as part of a broader effort to address long-standing issues related to open grazing and security challenges in the agricultural sector. Dr Aondoakaa Asambe, the Director-General of the Bureau of Livestock Development & Transboundary Animal Diseases Control, highlighted this commitment in a statement released on Thursday. He praised President Bola Tinubu for his decision to ban open grazing and promote ranching as a more sustainable model for livestock production. This policy shift is seen as a critical step in addressing the ongoing conflicts between herders and farmers. In addition to the livestock management initiative, President Tinubu recently declared an emergency on security, directing herders to surrender any illegal weapons they may possess. State’s Position on Open Grazing ...

A New Era for Nigeria’s Livestock Sector The Federal Government has taken a significant step towards transforming the livestock sector by launching an initiative to unify livestock data across the country. This move comes as part of efforts to replace guesswork and fragmented records with accurate, evidence-based decision-making. Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, emphasized that the era of relying on assumptions and scattered information must come to an end. He stressed that policies must now be based on accurate evidence to unlock the full economic potential of the livestock industry. Maiha expressed confidence in achieving the ambitious $74 billion target, citing his recent visit to Yola where he saw tangible progress. The Importance of Data-Driven Decisions Maiha highlighted that Nigeria has accumulated vast amounts of livestock-related data over the years, drawing from multiple national systems and surveillance platforms. However, he pointed out that this da...

A New Era for Livestock Health in Kenya Kenya is taking significant steps to enhance its livestock sector through a renewed national vaccination drive, focusing on ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats. This initiative, led by the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed), in collaboration with the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to boost productivity, increase farmer incomes, and expand access to regional and global markets. The program aligns with the government’s broader mass vaccination efforts targeting two critical diseases: Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). These diseases have long been a major obstacle to livestock production, limiting Kenya’s ability to compete in international trade. Currently, vaccination coverage remains below 10 percent, highlighting the urgent need for action. According to the implementing organizations, increasing vaccination rates will not only reduce lo...

Kogi State Launches New Livestock Development Initiatives The Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES) has made significant strides in enhancing livestock development across the state. As part of its efforts, the project has distributed 21 motorcycles to Livestock Extension Agents operating in the 21 Local Government Areas. These motorcycles are intended to improve mobility and support the delivery of extension and advisory services at livestock value chain clusters. In addition to the motorcycles, 1,000 livestock extension manuals have been handed out to farmers across the 64 value chain clusters. These manuals aim to provide practical guidance and information on best practices for livestock management and production. Another key component of the initiative involves the provision of veterinary medical equipment to the Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Livestock Development, in Lokoja. The equipment includes laboratory tools, meat i...

Addressing Methane Emissions in African Livestock Africa's livestock sector plays a significant role in global methane emissions, contributing 18 percent of the total. Within this, cattle alone account for 70 percent of emissions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, has over 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide in the first two decades after its release. Despite its shorter atmospheric lifespan compared to carbon dioxide, methane is responsible for nearly a third of current global warming. This has led to increased focus on reducing methane emissions from cattle in international climate discussions, including at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). The emphasis is on finding rapid solutions to slow the pace of climate change, and one of the most effective ways to do this is by targeting methane emissions from cattle. In response to these challenges, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) has launched a three-...