By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to strengthen collaboration with Uganda in key areas of livestock development, including improved animal genetics, fodder production, crossbreeding, household ranching, technology transfer, livestock trade and knowledge exchange.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stated this on Wednesday, 26th August 2026, when he received a delegation of the Nigeria-Uganda Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, led by its President, Chief Michael Awunor, on a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja.
Chief Awunor, who conveyed greetings from the Ugandan High Commission in Nigeria, said the visit was aimed at exploring opportunities for stronger cooperation between Nigeria and Uganda, particularly in the livestock sector.
According to a statement by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations Unit, Henrietta Okokon، on Thursday , he identified livestock feed and concentrates, cattle genetics, crossbreeding and household ranching as areas in which Nigeria could benefit from Uganda’s experience and expertise.
According to him, Nigerian livestock stakeholders were already sourcing cattle genetics and fodder from Uganda, stressing the need for a more structured and legally regulated framework to facilitate such exchanges.
Chief Awunor also highlighted Uganda’s household ranching model, under which families keep manageable numbers of livestock within or around their homes, noting that the approach could provide useful lessons for Nigeria in improving productivity and addressing some of the challenges associated with open grazing.
He further disclosed that, the Nigeria-Uganda Chamber of Commerce was working to strengthen bilateral trade relations between both countries and expressed interest in facilitating exchange programmes involving Nigerian and Ugandan women engaged in livestock production.
Responding, the Minister , commended the initiative and emphasised the importance of learning from successful livestock production systems in other countries while adapting such models to Nigeria’s local realities.
He expressed particular interest in Uganda’s household ranching model, observing that elements of household-based livestock production already exist in different parts of Nigeria, although they are largely managed through traditional methods.
The Minister noted that, many Nigerian households keep cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and other livestock, but often lack access to improved breeds, appropriate feeding systems, veterinary services, water, technology and modern management practices needed to maximise productivity.
