The National Sheep and Goat Development Association of Nigeria (NASHGODAN) has urged the Federal Government to establish demonstration farms across the country’s six geopolitical zones to strengthen sheep and goat production.
The association said the proposed centres would help boost farmers’ income, promote modern livestock management practices and improve productivity in the small-ruminant sector.
NASHGODAN also said the farms could contribute to efforts to control Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), sheep and goat pox, as well as other transboundary and zoonotic diseases affecting small ruminants.
The National President of NASHGODAN, Abdullateef Ahmed, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Ahmed said the proposed demonstration farms would serve as practical learning centres where farmers, students and prospective investors could learn, test and adopt modern, efficient and sustainable livestock production methods.
He said the centres would facilitate knowledge sharing through hands-on training in improved breeding techniques, animal health management and better feeding practices.
According to him, the farms would also showcase profitable agribusiness models capable of increasing production, reducing poverty and improving food security.
“The centres will boost production by showcasing methods to increase output to farmers and demonstrate profitable agribusiness models to reduce poverty and improve food security.
“They will also serve as training centres to empower youth and women farmers, as well as provide routine vaccination and treatment of sick animals when necessary,” he said.
Ahmed identified disease outbreaks, inadequate breeding programmes, limited market access, insufficient financing, insecurity and weak value-chain development as major challenges affecting the growth of Nigeria’s sheep and goat industry.
He, however, emphasised the need for greater involvement of farmers and livestock producers in efforts to prevent and control PPR and other zoonotic diseases.
According to him, increased participation of farmers in government programmes and policy formulation would help address some of the challenges confronting the sector.
He said such involvement would also encourage the slaughter and sale of healthy animals, thereby reducing potential risks to consumers.
“If demonstration farms are established, farmers can take their sick animals to the centres for treatment, and this will be of immense value to farmers and consumers,” he said.
On the economic potential of sheep and goat production, Ahmed said the sector’s value chain presented significant opportunities that remained largely untapped.
He noted that the industry continued to contribute to food security and rural livelihoods despite its underdeveloped economic potential.
The NASHGODAN president urged young Nigerians to consider sheep and goat farming as a modern and viable agribusiness rather than solely as a traditional occupation.
He said greater investment in the sector could contribute to wealth creation, employment generation, poverty reduction and broader economic development.
“The industry is one of the most accessible and profitable agricultural enterprises for rural households, women, youths and retirees.
“It provides income, employment, nutrition and economic resilience for millions of Nigerians,” he said.
