By Idris Khalid
The Bauchi State Government has begun exploring Ethiopia’s livestock development models, including modern meat processing, animal health research and veterinary innovations, as part of efforts to transform livestock production and strengthen the value chain in the state.
During a strategic study tour of Ethiopia by a high-level delegation of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project led by the state Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Bala Musa Lukshi, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Iliyasu Aliyu Gital, visited key agricultural institutions, research centres and meat processing facilities in Ethiopia to understudy successful livestock development models and identify best practices that could be adapted to Bauchi State.
The study tour, organised under the theme, “Strengthening Livestock Development Through Knowledge Exchange, Institutional Collaboration and Adoption of Best Practices,” is aimed at building institutional capacity, improving livestock production systems and promoting sustainable development of the sector.
Other members of the delegation include the Chairman, Bauchi State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Dayyabu; the Senior Special Assistant and Special Assistant on Livestock to Governor Bala Mohammed; and a representative of the National Project Coordinator, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar.
The delegation is participating under the guidance of the Bauchi State L-PRES Project Coordinator, Dr. Musa Adamu One.
During the visit, the team toured the ALLANA Meat Processing Facility, where members examined modern approaches to meat processing, quality assurance, hygiene standards and value addition in the livestock industry.
The engagement provided an opportunity for the delegation to understudy industrial meat production systems and appreciate the importance of efficient processing facilities in strengthening livestock value chains.
The experience is considered relevant to Bauchi State’s efforts to improve slaughterhouse infrastructure, enhance meat hygiene and safety, and create more commercially viable opportunities for livestock farmers and other operators in the sector.
The delegation also visited the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, where it held discussions with the country’s Minister on agricultural transformation, livestock productivity, institutional coordination and the modernisation of production systems.
The engagement provided a platform for exchanging experiences and exploring areas where Ethiopia’s agricultural and livestock development approaches could inform ongoing interventions in Bauchi State.
As part of efforts to strengthen institutional understanding and technical cooperation, the delegation visited the Holetta Agricultural Research Centre, where members were exposed to research activities in livestock production, animal breeding and dairy development.
The team also visited the Animal Health Institute in Sebeta, Ethiopia, where it received a presentation from Dr. Fasil Akilu on the institute’s history, mandate, organisational structure and operational activities.
The presentation highlighted the institute’s contributions to animal health through research, disease diagnosis, vaccine development and veterinary interventions designed to protect livestock and improve productivity.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Lukshi explained that the delegation was in Ethiopia to understudy the country’s institutional arrangements, technical innovations and experiences in livestock development, with a view to identifying approaches that could be adapted to strengthen veterinary services, animal health management and livestock production in Bauchi State.
He commended Dr. Akilu for the comprehensive presentation and appreciated the institute’s management for sharing its knowledge and experience with the visiting delegation.
The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Addis Ababa, where it was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Alhaji Nasiru Aminu.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Dr. Lukshi conveyed the goodwill of the Bauchi State Government under Governor Bala Mohammed and explained that the study tour was designed to expose the state’s livestock development stakeholders to successful agricultural and livestock models.
He briefed the Ambassador on the delegation’s engagements, including visits to the ALLANA Meat Processing Facility and Holetta Agricultural Research Centre, as well as its interaction with Ethiopian agricultural and animal health institutions.
In his response, Ambassador Aminu welcomed the delegation and provided insights into Ethiopia’s development experience, highlighting its infrastructure expansion, agricultural investments and efforts to strengthen productive sectors of the economy.
He stressed the importance of strategic planning, institutional commitment, investment in local production and effective utilisation of available resources, urging the delegation to identify practical lessons that could be replicated in Nigeria.
The Ambassador also emphasised the importance of international cooperation and knowledge exchange in accelerating development, particularly in agriculture and livestock production.
The study tour is expected to provide Bauchi State with valuable technical and institutional insights into improving livestock production, strengthening veterinary services, developing meat processing facilities and promoting investment across the livestock value chain.
It also underscores the importance of research, innovation and collaboration between government institutions and development partners in addressing challenges affecting livestock farmers and other stakeholders.
The Bauchi State Government, through the L-PRES Project, is seeking to build a more productive, resilient and commercially sustainable livestock sector capable of improving farmers’ livelihoods, creating economic opportunities and contributing to food security.
The development was contained in a statement issued by Mohammed Abdul, Communications and ICT Officer of the Bauchi State L-PRES Project.
