By Stella Okpalaeze
The Anambra State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening livestock production and promoting sustainable food systems as part of its broader agenda to enhance food security, improve nutrition and stimulate rural economic development across the State.
This commitment was reaffirmed by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Ben Odoemena, at the Veterinary Services and Livestock Production Workshop held on July 29 in Nnewi North Local Government Area. The Commissioner was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Chinwe Achugbu, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Mr. Jude Nwankwo.
The workshop, organised by the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) in partnership with the Nnewi North Local Government, brought together livestock farmers, veterinary professionals, State agricultural officials and community stakeholders to equip farmers with practical knowledge and modern techniques for goat, fish, pig and poultry production.
Also in attendance were the Mayor and leadership of Nnewi North Local Government, executives of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Heads of Departments of the Ministry of Agriculture and numerous livestock farmers from communities across the Local Government Area.
Delivering the Commissioner’s address, Mrs. Achugbu conveyed the State Government’s strong support for initiatives that promote increased production of meat, eggs and dairy products, noting that livestock development remains a critical component of the State’s strategy to achieve food security and improve the livelihoods of rural households.
The address highlighted that as investment and economic activities continued to expand across Anambra State, the demand for quality food products will increase significantly. To meet this growing demand, the Ministry was implementing a comprehensive agricultural action plan anchored on four strategic pillars.
“The first pillar is Private Sector Agriculture-Led Development through the Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) model, which seeks to attract private investment into agriculture in collaboration with communities, establish commercially viable agribusinesses and ensure a sustainable supply of raw materials for households and industries.
“The second pillar focuses on Irrigation-Led Agricultural Production, aimed at transforming farming from a seasonal activity into a year-round enterprise capable of ensuring continuous food availability throughout the State.
“The third pillar is the development of competitive agricultural value chains by strengthening structured commodity supply systems, connecting farmers with retailers and off-takers, improving access to finance and creating reliable markets for agricultural produce.
“The fourth pillar centres on Agricultural Efficiency and Investment Delivery, with emphasis on improving service delivery, enhancing productivity and creating an enabling environment for agricultural investment”, the Commissioner said.
In his remarks, the Mayor of Nnewi North Local Government described the workshop as a strategic intervention designed to provide livestock farmers with free access to quality technical knowledge and best practices capable of improving productivity and profitability. He encouraged participants to continue engaging with the State agriculture ministry and veterinary experts beyond the workshop to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their farming business.
The technical sessions featured experienced resource persons who delivered practical training on goat, fish, pig and poultry production, covering animal health management, nutrition, disease prevention, breeding and modern husbandry practices. The sessions were highly interactive, providing farmers with the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and receive expert guidance tailored to the challenges they encounter in their farming operations.
The workshop amplified the Ministry’s commitment to working collaboratively with professional associations, local governments and farming communities to build a modern, resilient and commercially viable livestock sector capable of contributing significantly to food security and sustainable economic growth in Anambra State.
Stella Okpalaeze is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
