Fed Govt, dairy ranchers collaborate on cattle traceability

Title: Collaboration between the Federal Government and Dairy Ranchers to Enhance Cattle Traceability in Nigeria: A Step Forward for Food Safety and Disease Control

Introduction

In a significant move towards enhancing food safety and disease control in Nigeria's livestock industry, the Federal Government has joined forces with the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN) to advance measures for improving cattle traceability in the country. This collaboration aims to ensure that the origin and movement of dairy cattle can be effectively monitored and traced, thereby reducing the risk of disease outbreaks and enhancing consumer confidence in locally produced dairy products.

Background

Cattle rearing and dairy farming are essential components of agriculture in Nigeria, contributing significantly to the economy and providing livelihoods for millions of people. However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including poor record-keeping, lack of transparency, and inadequate disease surveillance systems. These issues have hindered the growth and development of the industry and pose risks to public health and food safety.

CODARAN's Role

CODARAN, an umbrella body for commercial dairy ranchers in Nigeria, has been at the forefront of advocating for improved practices and policies in the dairy sector. The association represents over 100 ranches across the country and has been instrumental in promoting best practices in animal husbandry, biosecurity, and milk production.

Collaboration with the Federal Government

In its efforts to address the challenges facing the dairy industry, CODARAN has entered into a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement a cattle traceability system. This system will involve the use of unique identification numbers for each animal, which will be recorded and updated as the animal moves from one location to another.

Benefits of Cattle Traceability

The implementation of a cattle traceability system offers numerous benefits for all stakeholders involved. For consumers, it ensures that they have access to safe and healthy dairy products by providing information about the origin and history of the animals that produced the milk. For farmers and ranchers, it helps to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks by enabling early detection and containment of diseases. Additionally, it provides opportunities for improved market access and increased transparency, which can lead to better prices for farmers and increased consumer confidence in locally produced dairy products.

Conclusion

The collaboration between the Federal Government and CODARAN on cattle traceability marks an important step forward for Nigeria's dairy industry. By addressing the challenges of poor record-keeping and lack of transparency, this initiative will help to enhance food safety, improve disease control, and boost consumer confidence in locally produced dairy products. As the implementation of this system progresses, it is expected that other stakeholders in the livestock industry will follow suit, leading to a more robust and sustainable dairy sector in Nigeria.