FG to recruit 37,000 youths for livestock sector through Nigeria-Brazil partnership.

The Federal Government has announced plans to recruit 37,000 youths into livestock farming as part of President Bola Tinubu’s initiative on youth and livestock development. Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, disclosed this during a visit from the Brazilian JBS S.A. Executive Group. 

The initiative aims to engage young farmers with a passion for livestock, providing them with training, financial support, and agricultural inputs. Under this program, 1,000 youths will be recruited from each state, with collaboration from state governments to facilitate large-scale forage and fodder production.  

Maiha emphasized that women would also be included in the initiative, which will focus on pasture cultivation and livestock breeding. He noted that several state governors have pledged to provide land, while the Federal Government will supply the necessary seedlings.

Additionally, breed improvement efforts will be carried out through live bulls, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer techniques to enhance livestock quality. The initiative is expected to create sustainable ranching environments that optimize feed supply and livestock reproduction.  

Providing an overview of Nigeria’s livestock population, Maiha reported that the country has 20.9 million cattle, 49.1 million sheep, 88.2 million goats, 258.5 million poultry, and 9.2 million pigs. The investment partnership will also include disease control measures targeting swine fever, anthrax, and other livestock diseases. Discussions have already been held with the Benue State Governor, given the state’s prominence in pig farming.  

Ricardo Lacerda, CEO of JBS S.A., outlined Brazil’s model of developing 200,000 ranching operations for beef, which will be replicated in Nigeria. While Brazil’s poultry sector is more advanced than its beef industry, broiler production in Nigeria is expected to expand as the partnership progresses. Lacerda added that further collaboration would depend on land availability, with technical discussions set to continue in the coming months.