Livestock Agencies Seek TETFund Support to Boost Livestock Production
By Pan Afric Reporters
Colleges and institutions under the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria has called for increased funding, modern equipment and appropriate legislation to strengthen livestock production, improve food security and unlock the sector’s economic potential.
The appeal was made by the Provost/ CEO of the College of Veterinary & Medical Laboratory Technology who doubled as the chairman of the body of agencies under te ministry, Chuckwu Chuckwu while addressing journalists shortly after an oversight engagement with the Senate committee of livestock where representatives of institutions under the livestock development sector discussed their achievements, challenges and funding needs.
Chuckeu described the engagement as a positive development, noting that it provided an opportunity for lawmakers to hear directly from institutions and explore solutions to their challenges.
“What happened today is, in my view, is a good beginning. The senators listened to us with open minds and expressed their willingness to explore ways of addressing our challenges,” he said.
He explained that the institutions play a vital role in training skilled personnel who can return to their communities and expand local livestock production.
According to Chuckwu, livestock development should focus on increasing the commercial production of animals and other resources available their local communities rather than relying solely on moving livestock across the country.
“If goat rearing is common in your community, you should consider how to increase production and make the animals available in commercial quantities. There will be buyers for your products,” he said.
He urged young Nigerians to embrace agriculture as a viable business, stressing that opportunities exist across the livestock value chain, including animal rearing, feed production and related services.
“Our young people should not believe that agriculture is meant only for poor people. That perception is wrong,” he added, citing the economic opportunities available to entrepreneurs willing to invest in the sector.
He identified appropriate legislation and improved access to funding, including support through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), as critical to strengthening agricultural institutions.
He said increased funding would enable colleges to train staff, adopt new technologies and acquire modern equipment for research, teaching and development.
He expressed optimism that stronger legislative and financial support would enhance the capacity of agricultural institutions to contribute to livestock development, job creation and national food security.
