Pasture Development at the Heart of Nigeria’s Livestock Transformation — Minister

Pasture development has been placed at the heart of Nigeria’s drive to end herder–farmer conflicts, boost livestock productivity, and modernise animal husbandry. Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made this clear at the National Pasture Planting Day held at Kawu Grazing Reserve in Bwari Area Council, where he described the event as more than just planting grass—it was, he said, the sowing of a vision for sustainable livestock development, environmental stewardship, and economic empowerment for millions of Nigerians.

Source: ZAWYA

Maiha painted a picture of grazing reserves as vibrant hubs of opportunity, where pasture and crop production, breed improvement, veterinary care, youth employment, and women-led milk production could flourish side by side with peaceful coexistence. He warned that the shortage of quality fodder remained one of the sector’s greatest challenges, leading to malnourished animals, poor yields, and recurring disputes between pastoralists and farmers.

To reverse this, the National Pasture Development Programme has begun introducing high-yield, drought-tolerant pasture varieties into the national seed system—eight already this year—while training herders, establishing seed banks, building irrigation and water systems, and partnering with research institutions and global agencies. Maiha stressed that these efforts are part of a broader push to create climate-smart livestock systems capable of boosting meat and dairy production while protecting the environment.

Calling for collective action, he urged state and local governments to secure viable grazing lands, encouraged private investors to explore pasture commercialisation, and appealed to traditional and religious leaders to mediate disputes and build trust. He reaffirmed that the Federal Government’s National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, already endorsed by the National Economic Council, is designed to usher in an era where cattle no longer roam for miles in search of food, and grazing reserves evolve into thriving centres of excellence in animal husbandry.

Maiha left the audience with a symbolic message: the seeds planted at Kawu represent a future where livestock farming is peaceful, productive, and prosperous—rooted in unity, nourished by innovation, and harvested in the form of a stronger, more self-sufficient Nigeria.