‘Why Nigeria must increase protein production by 60%’

For Nigeria to meet the demand for protein by 2050, livestock production and productivity should increase by about 60%.

Mohammed Nanono, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated this in Umuahia, Abia State, during the yearly meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) and the Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN).

Nanono, who was represented, said livestock provides about 36.5 per cent of the total protein intake of Nigerians, generates employment, income and earns foreign exchange for the country.

He said the sub-sector is estimated to contribute about eight to 10 per cent of the Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and five per cent of the national GDP. 

“The global projection that Nigeria’s population currently at over 200 million may reach about 400 million by 2050 consequently points that demand for livestock products will increase more than double within this period.

“And to satisfy this expected huge demand for animal protein and other livestock products, livestock production and productivity has to increase commensurably in quality and quantity by about 60 per cent.”