FG Targets Year-Round Feed Supply to Raise Livestock Productivity

The Federal Government has identified year-round availability of affordable and nutritionally balanced feed as critical to raising livestock productivity and building a more competitive livestock industry in Nigeria.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stated this on Thursday 10th September 2026, at the launch of Olam Agri’s TrueValue Cattle Feed in Kaduna, where he stressed that Nigeria’s livestock sector could not fully realise the genetic potential of its animals without adequate nutrition.

"Good genetics must be matched with good nutrition if we are to achieve optimal growth for milk production, fertility, animal health, and overall farm productivity," the Minister said.

He noted that, feed represents one of the major costs in livestock production, adding that its quality and availability have a direct impact on animal health, growth and survivability.

According to him, the availability of feed throughout the year, whether through fodder, crop residues or concentrates, is fundamental to sustainable livestock production and has wider implications for food security, economic prosperity and peaceful livestock management.

The Minister said, the introduction of quality concentrate feeds was particularly relevant to the development of commercial feedlot systems for cattle and other livestock. 

He explained that, when concentrates are combined with quality fodder, clean water and sound animal husbandry practices, they can support better feed conversion, faster weight gain and shorter finishing periods, enabling farmers to take healthier and better-finished animals to market.

He further said, a stronger feed industry would contribute to the development of the wider livestock value chain by supporting investment in feedlots, abattoirs, meat processing, packaging, transportation and marketing.

"A more productive and reliable feed industry will ensure the regular supply of quality cattle, sheep, and goats to our abattoirs. It will also encourage investment in modern feedlots, slaughter facilities, meat processing, culture infrastructure, packaging, branding, transportation, and marketing," he said.

The Minister, however, called for a coordinated approach to developing Nigeria’s feed and fodder sector, involving fodder producers, crop farmers, feed manufacturers, livestock producers, research institutions, financial institutions and processors.

He stressed the need for improved feed testing, appropriate ration formulation, certification of commercial feeds, quality assurance and stronger measures to control contaminants, while also expanding the production and conservation of quality fodder.

The Minister commended, Olam Agri for its investment in Nigeria’s livestock sector, describing the launch as a practical contribution to the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise livestock production and build a productive, commercially viable and sustainable industry.

He further encouraged, the Company to make its feeds accessible and affordable to farmers and to support the product with farmer training, feeding demonstrations and collaboration with research and regulatory institutions.

In his remarks, Olam Agri’s President and Global Head of Animal Feeds and Proteins Business, Mr. Sharad Gupta, said the company was leveraging its established feed business and distribution network to introduce its cattle feed into the Nigerian market. 

He explained that ,while the cattle feed distribution network was still being developed, the company would combine its existing feed dealers with established players in the cattle sector who already have direct relationships with livestock farmers.

Gupta said Olam Agri, was focused on making TrueValue Cattle Feed competitively priced rather than pursuing small volumes at high prices. According to him, the company intends to use its scale in sourcing, processing and distribution to achieve efficiencies and pass the benefits on to farmers.

“We are not looking to make small quantities and sell them at high price. We are looking to make large quantities and keep them very, very tightly competitively priced,” Gupta said.

He added that, the company already sources over 90 per cent of the raw materials for its existing poultry feed business locally, including corn, soy, rice bran, groundnut cake, minerals and limestone, while its wheat milling operations also provide access to wheat bran, an important ingredient in ruminant feed production.

Henrietta Okokon
Head, Press and Public Relations 
10th September, 2026