Presidential livestock reforms implementation committee decries multiple taxation

• The development of key strategies and actions required for reforming the livestock sector in Nigeria and making it globally competitive

After extensive deliberation, the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee (PLRIC) identified multiple taxation as a constraint and advocated for a unified digital taxation system in collaboration with the Presidential Tax Reform Committee.

The PLRIC stated that existing policies should be strengthened, new policies should be developed, and gaps in existing policies should be addressed.

The PLRIC also stated that relevant stakeholders, including the government and other actors at the federal, state, and local levels, should work together to streamline regulations, avoid overlap, and support investment in the livestock sector.

These are part of the recommendations of the PLRIC, contained in a communiqué released on Tuesday in Abuja.

The communiqué, signed by Prof. Attahiru M. Jega, Co-Chairman of PLRIC said, “There is the need to strengthen security and attract investments in livestock value chains,” and identified insecurity as a constraint to livestock production.

The workshop expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development and for finding time within his busy schedule to attend the workshop.

The workshop was primarily organised to engage with stakeholders and provide an opportunity for networking and stakeholder contribution to the livestock reform process.

The key recommendations from the workshop would contribute to the development of key strategies and actions required for reforming the livestock sector in Nigeria and making it globally competitive.

“We also appreciate the Ministers, Governors, Traditional Rulers, Agriculture Donor Working Group, and all stakeholders for their active participation. We also thank the residents of the FCT for the warm reception and hospitality accorded participants. As the work of the committee continues, engagement with stakeholders will also be continuous, the communiquè stated.

The PLRIC called for the establishment of National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) for funding the Agriculture value chain and allied activities

It said insurance coverage for livestock investment is very important and should be implemented.

The PLRIC recommended that “A rapid response team and an expert working group should be established for the livestock sector to work with other relevant agencies in times of disaster”.

It said the management of waste generated from the production process of the livestock value chains should be adequately planned for its conversion to wealth, e.g. dung to manure and biogas, feather hydrolysis for protein production, blood for blood meal production for poultry, to mention but a few.

It urged the FMLD to note the importance of livestock mechanisation across its value chains and properly domicile its functions within the Ministry.