More than 223,097 livestock farmers and producers across 17 states have already benefited from the $546 million Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Launched in 2022, L-PRES aims to enhance livestock productivity, commercial viability, and resilience through targeted interventions in Nigeria’s livestock sector.
Improving Livestock Systems: A Strategic Approach
L-PRES, which is set to run until 2028, addresses the growing need to modernize and strengthen Nigeria’s livestock value chain. National Project Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar, highlighted key project components during a recent media workshop in Abuja, focusing on improving animal husbandry practices, animal health services, and building robust value chains. “This project is funded with a $500 million loan, secured in 2021, and an additional $46 million in counterpart funding, to be utilized over six years,” Abubakar said.
The program’s funding breakdown emphasizes its strategic focus on sustainable development:
- Institution and Innovation System Strengthening: $95 million
- Animal Husbandry and Advisory Support Services: $40 million
- Animal Health Services: $40 million
- Livestock Value Chain Enhancement: $275 million
- Crisis Prevention and Conflict Mitigation: $100 million
- Natural Resources Management and Pasture Improvement: $70 million
These initiatives aim to improve every aspect of livestock farming, from better breeding techniques to modernized infrastructure and disease management, creating a more stable foundation for both producers and consumers.
Transforming Livestock and Food Security in Nigeria
Nigeria’s livestock sector plays a crucial role in its national economy, providing essential food sources, employment, and income for millions of rural households. However, the industry faces challenges such as limited access to markets, inadequate infrastructure, and the growing threat of climate change. In addition, conflicts between farmers and herders have escalated, affecting food production and security.
The L-PRES project directly responds to these challenges, offering a comprehensive, data-driven approach to creating resilient livestock systems that support Nigeria’s broader food security goals. Abubakar explained that the project takes an integrated approach, ensuring that interventions target key pain points within the sector. By improving productivity, the project contributes to reducing post-harvest losses, increasing market access, and providing sustainable income sources for farmers.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the livestock industry contributed 10.2% to Nigeria’s agricultural GDP in 2023, with the potential to increase significantly as L-PRES progresses.
Building Resilience Amid Climate and Conflict
One of the standout features of L-PRES is its attention to Crisis Prevention and Conflict Mitigation. With $100 million dedicated to this component, the project focuses on preventing and resolving conflicts between farmers and herders, a critical issue threatening the stability of rural communities. By promoting peaceful coexistence and developing early-warning systems, L-PRES helps farmers continue operations even in conflict-prone areas.
The project also tackles climate change challenges through its Natural Resources Management and Pasture Improvement program, which aims to rehabilitate grazing lands and provide adequate water resources to livestock, ensuring that farmers can maintain productivity even during periods of extreme weather.
Technology and Innovation Driving Livestock Growth
As part of its commitment to modernization, the L-PRES project is introducing technological advancements to help manage and trace livestock more effectively. Abubakar announced the upcoming launch of the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS), which will help track the health and movement of livestock across the country. This will not only reduce disease outbreaks but also improve Nigeria’s ability to meet global export standards for livestock products.
L-PRES is also establishing two Livestock Gene Banks to support breed improvement and conservation, a step that will help boost the quality of livestock in Nigeria. The use of improved breeds, alongside better husbandry practices, could significantly enhance productivity, particularly for smallholder farmers who form the majority of livestock producers in the country.
Reaching Farmers and Producers Across Nigeria
Since its inception, the L-PRES project has profiled more than 223,097 beneficiaries across 17 states, ensuring that resources and interventions reach the right people. This massive profiling effort demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the lives of smallholder farmers, particularly in rural areas where livestock rearing is a major source of income.
Additionally, ongoing projects under L-PRES include livestock service centers, geospatial mapping of natural resources, and livestock value chain hubs. These initiatives aim to provide farmers with the infrastructure and technical support they need to thrive in a modern agricultural economy.
A Pathway to Sustainable Livelihoods
By improving livestock productivity and resilience, L-PRES is charting a course toward more sustainable livelihoods for Nigeria’s rural population. With the livestock sector poised for growth, thanks to the project’s extensive interventions, the benefits will extend beyond the immediate stakeholders. Increased livestock productivity is likely to reduce food insecurity, boost local economies, and provide more stable incomes for farmers across Nigeria.
As Nigeria works toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to ending poverty and hunger, projects like L-PRES provide a blueprint for how targeted investments can transform key sectors of the economy.
