Nigerian govt launches Animal Identification System to curb herder-farmer clashes

The National Animal Identification System and Traceability System was introduced by the Federal Government on Wednesday in an effort to decrease the number of herder-farmer conflicts in the nation.

The system was introduced by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. He claimed that by utilising technology, the system would address issues such as the threat of cattle rustling, accurate identification of cattle and non-ruminants, simple traceability, the provision of credit and insurance, and others.

After the launch, Abubakar spoke to the media and informed participants from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, cattle breeders, traditional rulers, animal husbandry experts, scientists, ECOWAS, United Nations, UN, pastoralists, and others that the technology, which is the first of its kind in the industry, has enormous benefits and will alter the narrative in the livestock business.

In addition, Abubakar stated that stakeholder engagements and NAITS sensitization had already started in Bauchi, Edo, Enugu, Lagos, Katsina, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and the Federal Capital Territory. Abubakar assured that NAITS was a component of the National Livestock Transformation Plan and would be implemented in all 36 States as well as the FCT.

“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development under the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), initiated the National Animal Identification System and Traceability System (NAITS) project as one of the strategies to address the socio-economic and security challenges bedevilling the livestock sector and dearth of data for proper planning among others.

“The successful implementation of NAITS will support livestock owners to identify their animals, curb livestock rustling, facilitate interventions in the livestock sector, provision of credit and insurance, livestock movement control, animal recording for genetic improvement and research, ease of traceability, surveillance, animal disease control and enable trade among others.

“The National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) is a comprehensive animal information management system that will utilize forgery-proof ear tags and cattle passports combined with digital technology to identify and track livestock across Nigeria.

“These database will provide full visibility on the livestock sector, especially the pastoralists who have felt marginalized and unfairly treated by the society despite being essential in the agricultural sector in Nigeria.”

He also stressed that NAITS would address issues affecting the livestock subsector, while promoting greater cohesion and harmony among communities.