The Manager of Yobe Livestock Development Programme, Dr Mustapha Gaidam, on Sunday advised the Federal Government to exploit the potentials in livestock agriculture to reposition Nigeria’s economy and create employment.
Gaidam told journalists in Damaturu that the sub-sector has the capacity to raise the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
He urged federal and state governments to establish livestock skill acquisition centres to train youths in poultry, animal husbandry, fish farming, dairy and beef production.
“This will address the beef, dairy, poultry and fish needs of the country to guarantee food security, generate revenue and provide employment.
“To make this work, government should partner with financial institutions for credit scheme to beneficiaries, while technical experts are engaged to provide technical skills,” said the general manager.
Gaidam projected an annual employment of 6,000 youths under livestock production while the skill centres would serve as centres for research and data collection for national planning.
He said the economic crunch suffered by the country should serve as a wake up call towards diversifying the economy against over dependence on oil.
“Nigeria should see the fall in oil price as an opportunity to open up other sources of revenue that will develop the economy and provide employment to the citizenry.”
The general manager said: “There are rich unexploited potentials in livestock agriculture in every part of Nigeria with the capacity to improve the economy of the citizenry and to boost revenue base of the nation.” (NAN)
