The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) says the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development will boost Nigeria’s foreign earnings and reduce transhumance, poverty and conflicts associated with the outdated practice.

The national president of MACBAN, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, stated this at a news briefing on Sunday in Abuja.

He stated that the livestock sector was currently valued at over N33 trillion, and with the envisaged new investments, it is estimated to grow to over N75 trillion in a few years.

Mr Othman-Ngelzarma also said that, like the blue economy, a renewed livestock production system would save Nigeria billions of dollars in foreign exchange from importing powdered milk and other livestock products.

According to him, Nigeria is projected to earn more than 10 times what it earns now in foreign exchange.

Mr Othman-Ngelzarma said, “By 2050 when the Nigerian population will be about 402 million, the nutritional needs must also increase alongside the population growth. In line with this, enhancing livestock production can substantially increase the protein requirements which can best be achieved under a dedicated ministry.”

Mr Othman-Ngelzarma disclosed that the Sokoto red-skin goat leather was the most valuable and most expensive leather in the world.

“The Gucci and Armani bags are a good testament to this. Nigeria earns about $1.2 billion annually for the export of hide and skin,” the Miyetti Allah leader said.

(NAN)