The National Sheep and Goat Development Association of Nigeria (NASHGODAN) has urged the Federal Government to establish demonstration farms across the country to boost sheep and goat production. According to NASHGODAN, these centres would help improve farmers' earnings, promote modern livestock management practices, and increase the productivity of the sector. This call was made by the National President of NASHGODAN, Abdullateef Ahmed, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
The proposed demonstration farms would provide practical learning platforms for farmers, students, and prospective investors to access and test modern, efficient, and sustainable livestock production methods. The centres would also promote knowledge sharing through practical training in improved breeding techniques, animal health management, and better feeding practices. This, Ahmed said, would boost production by showcasing methods to increase output to farmers and demonstrate profitable agribusiness models to reduce poverty and improve food security.
Ahmed listed disease outbreaks, inadequate breeding programmes, limited market access, insufficient financing, insecurity, and weak value-chain development among the major constraints limiting growth in the sheep and goat industry. He stressed that farmers and livestock producers had an important role to play in protecting the country from Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and other zoonotic diseases. According to him, greater inclusion of farmers in government programmes and policy formulation would help address some of the challenges confronting the sector.
The demonstration farms, Ahmed said, would serve as training centres to empower youth and women farmers, as well as provide routine vaccination and treatment of sick animals when necessary. He noted that if established, farmers could take their sick animals to the centres for treatment, which would be of immense value to farmers and consumers. This, he said, would ensure the slaughtering of healthy animals for sale and consumption rather than diseased animals, to the detriment of human health.
Ahmed highlighted the economic importance of sheep and goats, noting that the sector's value chain presented significant opportunities that had yet to be fully exploited. He said the industry remained an important contributor to food security and rural livelihoods despite its largely untapped economic potential. The sector, Ahmed said, provided income, employment, nutrition, and economic resilience for millions of Nigerians.
The NASHGODAN president encouraged young Nigerians to consider sheep and goat farming as a viable modern agribusiness rather than viewing it solely as a traditional occupation. He said investment in the sector could support wealth creation, employment generation, poverty reduction, and broader economic development. According to him, the industry was one of the most accessible and profitable agricultural enterprises for rural households, women, youths, and retirees.
Key to the growth of the sector, Ahmed said, was the establishment of demonstration farms nationwide.
Key points
- The Federal Government is being urged to establish demonstration farms in each of the six geopolitical zones.
- The proposed farms would provide practical learning platforms for farmers, students, and prospective investors.
- The sector's growth has been limited by disease outbreaks, inadequate breeding programmes, and limited market access.
