UAE, Saudi-Arabia to import grass from Nigeria

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Qatar are on the verge of importing fodders (grasses, straws, hays) from Nigeria for the feeding of their livestock, Idi Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development have said
The minister disclosed this in Ilorin, Kwara State, during an interaction with stakeholders on the opportunities that abound in livestock business.
Maiha said Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia are currently in talks with offtakers to export grass from Africa’s most populous nation.

“They give you a price in dollars. I sold grass some years back. Ordinary grass, but there is a benefit from that. Growing grass is another lucrative business, and there are huge varieties of grasses. These are huge opportunities that we can begin to explore, but it is a question of awareness,” he said.
Nigeria spends an average of $1.5 billion on dairy imports annually, Maiha said, highlighting the gap in the value chain. “This is because we don’t have sufficient milk. Our cows produce about 23 litres of milk each per day, while their counterparts elsewhere do between 25 and 40 litres per day.”
With over 58 million cattle, 124 million goats, 70 million sheep, 13.33 million pigs, and 410,000 donkeys, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria has no reason spending money on livestock imports.

Maiha noted that, “it now took somebody after Nigeria’s 64 years of independence to realise the damage we have been doing to ourselves by not mainstreaming livestock production.”

He said the country has everything it needs to become sufficient in livestock production. For him, it is only in livestock that “you can harvest every day.”
“It has the lowest risk to the agricultural ecosystem. Nigeria’s population is an asset for livestock development. Therefore, if you want to go into business, think about food, think livestock, as food has no alternative,” he said.
According to Maiha, the government is actively working to grow the livestock sector, better manage disease outbreaks in animals, and provide a suitable environment for grass and fish production.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nigeria targets 1.4m tons of milk, phases out open grazing

Image
The Nigerian federal government has sought the support of veterinarians in its bid to increase milk production from the current 700,000 metric tons to 1.4 million tons, as well as to transition from open grazing to modern ranching methods. Isyaku Mohammed permanent secretary, service policies and strategies, office of the head of the Civil Service of the Federation, made the appeal at the 2026 Veterinary Leadership summit, convened by the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association and GALVmed recently in Abuja According to him, veterinary professionals have a critical role to play in realising the present administration’s agenda to increase the livestock sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product from the current 32 billion dollars to 74 billion dollars by the year 2035. He disclosed that the government’s strategy for 2026 and beyond is to transition from traditional nomadic systems, double milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes through science-driven ge...
Read more

5 Grains That Are Packed With Protein—and the Best Ways to Eat Them

Image
When it comes to foods high in protein, many people reach for meat, eggs, and legumes. But you're not limited to these options; there are plenty of high-protein grains to enjoy. These ingredients provide a plant-based alternative to animal foods, which is helpful if you're trying to eat less meat. They're also a good source of fiber, which works with protein to enhance satiety and reduce hunger. They also provide essential vitamins and minerals, making them some of the healthiest foods you can eat It's worth noting that all types of grains, even low-protein ones, have a place in a balanced diet. However, if you're looking for high-protein varieties to support muscle maintenance, satiety, or recovery after sickness, consider the following grains. Add them to your next meal for an instant boost of protein, or try one of these dietitian-approved serving suggestions Spelt One cup of cooked spelt boasts nearly 11 grams of protein1. It's also a source of m...
Read more

Iran ready to discuss compromises to reach nuclear deal, minister tells BBC in Tehran

Image
Iran is ready to consider compromises to reach a nuclear deal with the US if the Americans are willing to discuss lifting sanctions, an Iranian minister has told the BBC. US officials have repeatedly emphasised that Iran, not the US, is holding up progress in this protracted negotiating process. On Saturday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump preferred a deal but it was "very hard to do" one with Iran. But in an interview with the BBC in Tehran, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, said the ball was "in America's court to prove that they want to do a deal", adding: "If they are sincere, I'm sure we will be on the road to an agreement Trump has threatened strikes against Iran if a deal to curb its nuclear programme cannot be reached, with the US building up its military presence in the region. This followed Iran's violent repression of nationwide anti-government protests last month, which hu...
Read more