Olaniyi Babayemi, the president of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP), has urged stronger civil-military collaboration to enhance livestock production and tackle security challenges.

Mr Babayemi spoke on Saturday at a media briefing ahead of the Society’s 51st annual conference, scheduled for Monday at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

He said the theme, ‘Civil-Military Collaboration for Sustainable Livestock Production and National Security,’ would highlight the growing link between agriculture and national security.

Mr Babayemi, also Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo State, said livestock production now plays a vital role in national stability.

“Where farmers and herders cannot operate safely, food production declines, livelihoods are disrupted, and instability increases,” he said.

He noted that the military’s logistics, intelligence, and operational strengths could help secure grazing routes and farming communities.

According to Mr Babayemi, the collaboration does not mean militarising agriculture but creating a safe and enabling environment for productivity.

He emphasised peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and farmers, advocating ranching, controlled grazing, and improved feed management as sustainable solutions.

“The future of livestock production depends on peaceful coexistence. Productivity and harmony must go hand in hand,” he added.

He said about 1,000 participants, including officials, military leaders, academics, and industry stakeholders, would attend the conference.

Mr Babayemi also highlighted achievements, including stronger institutional frameworks, expanded global engagement, and plans for a permanent Abuja secretariat.

He expressed optimism that the conference would yield practical recommendations to boost production, reduce conflicts, and strengthen national stability.

“Food security is everyone’s responsibility. A secure livestock sector means a more stable and prosperous nation,” he said.

Also speaking, the local organising committee chairman, Philip Vantsawa, described the choice of the Nigerian Defence Academy as strategic and unprecedented.

Mr Vantsawa said the decision departed from over five decades of hosting the conference solely in civilian universities.

According to him, the move aligns with the theme and reflects the need for cross-sector collaboration.

“NDA has never hosted a conference of this scale. As sub-Saharan Africa’s premier military university, it is the most suitable venue,” he said.

He said the conference would bring together scientists, agricultural experts, and security stakeholders to address pressing national challenges, especially farmer-herder conflicts.

Mr Vantsawa added that it would foster collaboration between civilian experts and the military to develop sustainable solutions.

“We are fully prepared to receive participants. The conference will deliver actionable strategies to address recurring livestock sector conflicts,” he said.

He said a key outcome would be a communiqué outlining a practical policy blueprint for government and stakeholders.

According to him, it will chart a new direction for resolving farmer-herder crises and improving animal production systems.

Mr Vantsawa also conveyed the readiness of the academy’s leadership to host participants from across Nigeria and beyond.

“At the end, we expect robust collaboration and recommendations to guide policy and ensure lasting solutions,” he added.

The conference is expected to attract participants from academia, government agencies, the military, and the private sector. 

(NAN)