Director, American West African Agro, Dan Lloyd, has called for increased private sector investment in farmland development, irrigation, livestock feed production and animal healthcare to reduce the rising cost of livestock production in Nigeria.
Lloyd made the call in an interview following the Thank You Rally for Mr President, where he highlighted the importance of private sector participation in addressing challenges affecting pastoralists and Nigerian households.
According to him, livestock production costs are driven by several factors, including the rising cost of animal feed, land acquisition, land preparation and irrigation.
He explained that irrigation plays a particularly important role in livestock farming because it enables farmers to cultivate crops on a large scale to provide adequate feed for cattle, pigs, poultry and other livestock.
He noted that investment in large scale agricultural production and efficient delivery of feed to livestock could significantly improve productivity and reduce operating costs.
Lloyd also emphasised the need to extend agricultural investment beyond primary production to include processing, packaging and marketing of finished products such as packaged beef, frozen meat and hot dogs.
On the role of private investment in addressing the high cost of livestock production, he said his organisation was developing farmland for cattle ranching and small ruminant production.
He explained that increased efficiency and productivity through commercial investment could create economies of scale, ultimately helping to lower the prices of livestock products.
According to him, private businesses are driven by the need to improve operations, maximise productivity and remain profitable, which can encourage greater efficiency across the livestock sector.
He added that when businesses operate more efficiently, production costs can decline, profits can improve and consumers can benefit from more affordable livestock products.
Addressing concerns about ensuring that pastoralists and small scale livestock farmers benefit from commercial investments, Lloyd stressed the importance of integrating existing livestock producers into emerging agricultural facilities as partners rather than excluding them.
He explained that the company’s approach involves bringing pastoralists and herders into its developing facilities, allowing them to contribute their existing livestock and expertise while benefiting from improved production systems.
According to him, the partnership model would provide pastoralists with access to better animal feed, proper nutrition, veterinary care and modern livestock facilities.
He noted that livestock require consistent attention and healthcare to remain productive, just as people need proper feeding and medical attention to maintain good health.
Lloyd further highlighted the importance of engaging experienced livestock practitioners who already understand the sector but may lack access to the infrastructure and financial resources required to expand their operations.
He said bringing such professionals into organised commercial partnerships would strengthen their capacity, improve their livelihoods and contribute to the success of broader livestock development projects.
He maintained that combining private investment, existing pastoralist expertise and improved livestock management practices could create a more productive and inclusive livestock industry in Nigeria.
The approach, he suggested, offers an opportunity to improve livestock production, strengthen value addition and ensure that pastoralists and small scale farmers are active participants in the country’s expanding agricultural investment landscape.
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