Nigeria’s livestock sector can generate up to N33 trillion worth of investment and transform the economy, the Federal Government has said.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nano who disclosed this to newsmen on Saturday, said the country’s livestock has huge economic potential “which should be explored and harnessed”.

According to the minister, the sector currently contributes 17 percent to the nation’s agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In light of this, Nanono recalled that the National Livestock Breed Improvement Initiative, which was recently launched in Kano State, is part of the ongoing efforts by the ministry to transform the livestock sector in the country.

“Just this week in Kano, I inaugurated the pilot scheme of the National Livestock Breed Improvement Initiative aimed at increasing the dairy potentials of our indigenous dairy cows and meat yield of our national herd.

“The livestock sector has a huge economic potential netting N33 trillion which should be explored and harnessed,” Nanono said.

The minister further stated that the broad plan of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is to ensure that Nigeria transitions into an agriculture-based economy, adding that it had begun the implementation of agricultural mechanization which is aimed at boosting cultivation and output.

“This will ensure that we have more than enough to feed the population and export to neighboring countries.

“We are also deepening our extension services to grow the agricultural sector and make farming an informed profession,” he added.