Agric: 16m Cattle Contributes 40% Of Sector’s Input To GDP – Bukar Tijjani



Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Bukar Tijjani, has revealed that Nigeria has over 16 million heads of cattle which account for 40% of the sector’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

He said, “In the whole of agriculture, livestock accounts for up to 40% and in Nigeria we have about 16 million heads of cattle, 30 to 40 million of both sheep and goats and about 140 million flock of birds,” adding that official production gives about 700 metric tonnes per annum.

The minister made thisw comment while speaking with journalists at the 2nd Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN)/Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NAIS) joint annual meeting which started in Abuja on Monday with the theme: Industry Standards and Regulations , A Tool for improved Productivity in Animal Husbandry.

He said, “When we look at the livestock industry as a whole, as a subsector we realise that livestock contributes a lot to our GDP.”

Speaking on the four value chains started under the agricultural transformation agenda (ATA), he said: “Under the ATA we want to look at four value chains under the sub sector: these include beef - cattle, including sheep, goats and other small animals; poultry, diary and the hides and skin”

He asserted that Nigeria leather is one of the best in the world but that there is concern as it is eaten as food.

According to him, “We have been putting our heads with farmers and also consumers because in Nigeria we have a need for ‘Kpomo’ (hides/skin) but we have to very quickly make adjustments so that we can get our shoes and bags instead of taking it away by making it into delicacies.”

He added that Nigeria leather was being exported at the detriment of local tanneries and bag and shoe factories.

“So we have to look at this and that is why we have looked at these four value chains. Our thinking is that by 2015, these structures should be on ground and we should be able to move away from total dependency to self sufficiency.

Meanwhile NAIS president, Professor Placid Njoku, in his remarks said the meeting marked second occasion that animal science practitioners and other stakeholders were converging to discuss issues of great relevance to the institute and livestock sub sector.

He said as the statutory professional body for the regulation of animal science practices, the institute inducted 171 newly admitted animal scientists into its fold of full members Registered Animal Scientist (RAS), bringing the total to 1,541 while 514 young animal science graduates will be inducted into the corps of Graduate Animal Scientists (GAS).

HNosegbe: Seriously we need to drop this kpomo culture. We can develop a major revenue-earning, productive industry from leather.

I wonder how many bags, shoes and belts caould have been produced from all the kpomo eaten on a daily basis across the country.

HNosegbe: Seriously we need to drop this kpomo culture. We can develop a major revenue-earning, productive industry from leather.

I wonder how many bags, shoes and belts caould have been produced from all the kpomo eaten on a daily basis across the country.

Obiagelli:
Where are the shoe and bags making factories, where is the processing plants? The butcher/slaughter house would always sell to wherever the market is, as it stands now kpomo is the only market.

chukwudi44: Wow !! So nice .So when finally Nigeria disintegrates some people can sustain themselves with cattle.

taharqa: The amount of time you spend on NL talking about things you know very little about, wud have been more than enuf for you to set up at least 1 small Kpomo Processing Factory. Don't you agree, dear??

taharqa: I am Guilty, Bros. I admit it. I like dem KPOMOs. Esp those big ones with a lot of meat on one side. Yumming!!.... Though am a Patroitic Nigerian. Am ready to change if d need arises. I think

alpha conde: Lies, there are no genuine records in this country

chukwudi44: Wow !! So nice .So when finally Nigeria disintegrates some people can sustain themselves with cattle.

There was pandemonium at the popular Bodija Market in Ibadan, Oyo State on Friday when Hausa and Yoruba beans traders clashed.
The traders of the two ethnic stock clashed over disagreement on the sale of beans in the market.
As a result of the confusion, traders and customers hurriedly left the market so as not to be caught in the clash.
Though no life was lost in the clash due to the prompt intervention of security operatives, but properties, including cars, truck conveying beans from the North, pepper, beans, fruit and other market products were destroyed.
It was gathered that tension has heightened in the market after the June 5, 2013 killing of 10 beans traders by Boko Haram members in the North.
After the killing, the Ibadan Foodstuff Traders Association placed an indefinite ban on travelling to the North to purchase beans on its members.
It was gathered that despite the ban, Hausa traders still brought beans from the North to the market and sell at very exorbitant prices.
The situation worsened as a bag of beans has rose from N11,000 to N20,000

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/national/pandemonium-in-bodija-market-as-yoruba-hausa-traders-clash/

Billyonaire: Fellow Nairalanders, Una see what GEJ's performance contract and sacking of non-performing ministers has caused?

How this minister take count all cattles, goats, sheep and birds?

Very soon, he will tell us the number of mosquitoes.

GEJ, my Oga u try oh. Ministers are scrambling to show their prowess.

HNosegbe: Seriously we need to drop this kpomo culture. We can develop a major revenue-earning, productive industry from leather.

I wonder how many bags, shoes and belts caould have been produced from all the kpomo eaten on a daily basis across the country.

Obiagelli: and what is the government's contributions to this, a nation that still imports about 80% of its dairy products (milk and cheese). Talk talk minister