The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdulahi, has said that climate change is posing a great threat to Nigeria’s agriculture yield.
The minister stated this at the 12th Animal Science Association of Nigeria, ASAN, and the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, NIAS, Joint Annual Meeting, and 28th ASAN Conference in Abuja.
According to Abdullahi, Northern Nigeria is “hounded by desert encroachment on once arable land, while Southern Nigeria is pounded by the rising tide of coastal flooding and erosion.”
He said Nigeria must come to grips with not only mitigating climate change but raising its level of preparedness by putting in place policies and strategies that support climate smart agriculture.
For Nigerians, he stressed, to have access to a balanced and wholesome diet, the livestock sub-sector of the economy must be made viable enough not only to provide an affordable source of protein but also create employment and earn foreign exchange for the country.
His words: “This is the essence of the State of Emergency on Food Security as declared by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on 13th July 2023.”
The minister said his Ministry is “relying on the strong political will of Mr. President recognizes the significance and strategic importance of the livestock sub-sector in Nigeria’s quest for sustainable economic development and has made it a priority sector in its economic development plans and programs.”
Abdullahi further noted that the Federal Government is committed to creating a robust, vibrant and competitive livestock sector, adding that the Federal Government would ensure that the sector is capable of meeting the national demand for animal protein and place Nigeria among top players in the global livestock economy.
“The National Livestock Transformation Plan, NLTP, meticulously being implemented by the ministry is a testament to the commitment of the present administration to create a robust, vibrant and competitive livestock sector capable of meeting the national demand for animal protein and place Nigeria among top players in the global livestock economy,” he explained.
On a final note, he called for the adoption of “climate smart agriculture” to meet the country’s demand for food and animal protein.
