<p>By Becky Momodu</p>
<p><strong>The Federal Government has begun discussions with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on technical collaboration to strengthen livestock identification and traceability as Nigeria seeks to expand production and gain greater access to international markets.</strong></p><p class="ari-link"><strong>Read also:</strong> <a href="https://sparknewsdaily.com.ng/improving-customer-services-aedc-launches-mypower-and-web-app/">Improving Customer Services: AEDC Launches MyPower and Web App</a></p>
<p>The proposed partnership will also focus on food safety, laboratory capacity, certification, veterinary inspection and other measures required to make Nigeria’s livestock products more competitive globally.</p>
<p>The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, said during an engagement with UNIDO officials that effective animal identification and traceability would be critical to the growth of Nigeria’s livestock sector.</p>
<p>“No trading partner will take any piece of meat from you if you don&#8217;t have a system capable of tracing livestock and livestock products through the value chain,” Akujobi said.<br />
She stressed that measures being developed to improve quality and safety must benefit both domestic consumers and international markets.<br />
“Whatever we are doing should cut across products for both international and domestic markets,” she said.</p>
<p>Akujobi disclosed that the Ministry was working towards establishing a policy framework for animal identification and traceability and would welcome UNIDO’s technical support in areas including infrastructure, software and capacity building.</p><p class="ari-link"><strong>Read also:</strong> <a href="https://sparknewsdaily.com.ng/oba-lagos-traditional-council-get-inecs-enlistment-as-partners-in-peace/">Oba, Lagos Traditional Council Get INEC&#8217;s Enlistment as Partners in Peace</a></p></p>
<p>She also sought the organisation’s expertise on practical identification technologies, including tags and microchips, with consideration for affordability, available equipment and sustainability for farmers.</p>
<p>Other areas identified for possible collaboration include the development of disease-free zones or compartments, training of federal and state veterinary inspectors, improved biosecurity and upgrading of laboratory facilities.</p>
<p>The UNIDO Regional Programme Manager, Adalberto Carvalho Santos Vieira, said the organisation could support Nigeria in deploying digital technologies for livestock identification and traceability.</p>
<p>According to him, linking animal identification systems to databases would help strengthen animal health management, improve consumer confidence and facilitate access to international markets.</p>
<p class="ari-link"><strong>Read also:</strong> <a href="https://sparknewsdaily.com.ng/atiku-fires-back-at-apc-over-call-for-efcc-probe/">Atiku Fires Back at APC Over Call for EFCC Probe</a></p><p>“UNIDO has successfully worked on livestock identification and traceability systems in other nations. We believe we can support the deployment of digital tracking technology to guarantee animal health, build consumer trust and open doors to related exports,” Vieira said.<br />
He added that UNIDO could also support testing and food safety systems, laboratory development, inspector training and certification, as well as assess existing national and regional capacities and identify priority gaps.</p>
<p>The proposed collaboration is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to export honey, red meat and other livestock-related products by ensuring that they can be traced, tested and certified in line with applicable international requirements.</p>

Nigeria, UNIDO Move to Strengthen Livestock Traceability, Food Safety
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