Exploring Agriculture in Nigeria: Why Livestock Farming is Important.

There is much to learn from and about the large industry of agriculture. Several career and business options are available to individuals who participate in its four sectors. One of these sub-sectors is livestock. Approximately 8.1 percent of the sector’s overall output in Nigeria is still accounted for by the second-largest component, which is livestock. In light of this, it is crucial to understand the value of livestock farming.

Livestock farming is the process of breeding animals for the sole purpose of consumption. It is also popularly called Animal husbandry. Nigeria’s most common livestock animals include poultry (chicken, turkey, quail, and duck), small ruminants (goats, sheep), pigs, cattle, rabbits, and, in some areas of the country’s northern region, horses and camels. The most commonly reared ones are chicken, goats, sheep and cattle.

Nigeria is a major hub of animal product consumption in West Africa. It is also the leading livestock producer in Central and West Africa, with 25% of livestock herds in the sub-region by its population and capacity for animal production.

According to The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the livestock sector is a very crucial part of Nigeria’s agricultural GDP, and with its growing demand, it will become the most important segment of the agriculture sector in value terms. It also plays a significant role in rural livelihoods and the economies of developing countries. Developing countries such as Nigeria are evolving in response to the rapidly increasing demand for livestock products.

In line with Statista, the demand for livestock products is estimated to grow at an annual rate of over three percent. Nigeria’s population is growing rapidly and is forecasted to reach over 400 million people by 2050. With this high demand for livestock products and an ever-growing population, companies are rising to meet these demands.

The livestock sector globally is highly dynamic and many countries depend on its production. Based on The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 97th Agricultural Outlook Forum forecast on the world demand for beef, pork, and poultry, the global consumption of beef, pork, and poultry are projected to grow 8.9%, 17.3% and 16.3%, respectively, between 2021 and 2030.

Livestock farming provides income and employment for producers and others working in the agricultural value chain. It provides farm energy, manure and contributes to crop production. In addition, livestock farming is one of the major food sources for billions of rural and urban households. This goes to show how vital livestock is in agriculture.