Agric expert sees Ruminant industry as Nigeria’s hidden goldmine

A respected academic and specialist in ruminant production, Olayinka Miriam Tawose, has drawn national attention to what she describes as Nigeria’s most undervalued economic resource – ruminant production.

In a recent engagement with agricultural stakeholders, Tawose argued that while public discourse often focuses on issues arising from pastoral ruminant production, the real story is one of missed opportunities rather than inherent failings.

According to her, Nigeria’s livestock narrative has been unfairly framed around conflicts, shortages, and low productivity, masking the immense biological and ecological advantages embedded in the country’s tropical environment.

“Ruminants are not a burden to our system but great assets,” she explained.

Beneath these challenges lies a largely untapped opportunity – a hidden goldmine in ruminant production that, if strategically harnessed, could transform food security, rural livelihoods, and national economic resilience.

Tawose emphasised that cattle, sheep, and goats possess the rare ability to convert fibrous, non-human-edible plant materials into high-quality protein.

In a nation where vast quantities of crop residues such as rice straw, maize stover, cassava peels, yam vines, and groundnut haulms are wasted annually, she described this capacity as nothing short of a goldmine.

“What we call waste is actually feed,” she noted.

“The problem is not scarcity, but poor utilisation.”

She emphasised that properly managed crop residues can sustain millions of ruminants at a fraction of the cost of conventional feeds.

Drawing from years of research and field experience, Dr. Tawose highlighted simple, affordable feed technologies, such as urea treatment, ensiling, strategic supplementation, and use of locally sourced protein additives, that can dramatically improve the nutritive value of local feed resources.

She stressed that these methods are well within the reach of smallholder farmers if supported by effective extension services, subsidies, and policy commitment.

She spoke passionately about Nigeria’s indigenous ruminant breeds, describing them as “genetic treasures hiding in plain sight.”

Breeds such as White Fulani cattle, Muturu, Red Sokoto goats, and West African Dwarf sheep, she explained, are exceptionally adapted to heat stress, endemic diseases, low-quality forages, and can convert marginal lands into value.

“Instead of replacing them with exotic breeds that struggle in our climate, we should improve what we already have through nutrition, management, and selective breeding,” she advised.

Tawose also addressed Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported feed ingredients, warning that this exposes livestock producers to volatile global markets.

She advocated for forage-based systems built around tropical grasses and legumes such as Stylosanthes, Centrosema, Lablab, and Moringa, which represent strategic assets that remain grossly underutilised.

According to her, integrating these forages into grazing and cut-and-carry systems can reduce feed costs, improve animal performance, and enhance soil fertility, creating a resilient circular agricultural economy.

Beyond meat and milk, she underscored the broader value of ruminants to rural livelihoods.

Livestock, she said, function as income stabilisers, sources of organic manure, and financial safety nets for millions of households, particularly women and youth.

In peri-urban areas, improved small ruminant production offers rapid income turnover and meets rising urban demand for animal protein.

Tawose further said: “As a nation seeking sustainable growth, Nigeria must recognise that ruminant production aligns perfectly with the Sustainable Development Goals of poverty reduction, zero hunger, and climate action.

“Strategic public–private partnerships can stimulate feed processing enterprises, forage seed systems, and value-added dairy and meat chains.

“Universities and research institutes must also translate science into farmer-ready solutions, not just journal publications.”

Tawose was clear that unlocking this potential requires a deliberate shift toward semi-intensive, climate-smart production systems.

She called for investments in the growing market through digitalisation and industrialisation of the sector, exportation, feed conservation, dry-season supplementation, veterinary services, water infrastructure, and conflict-sensitive land-use planning.

“Nigeria does not lack potential,” she concluded.

“What we lack is strategy.”

Colleagues at FUOYE Nigeria describe Tawose as a rare blend of scientist and advocate, one who combines rigorous scholarship with a deep understanding of farmer realities.

Her message is simple but powerful: With strategy and commitment, Nigeria can transform its ruminant sector into a globally competitive industry that drives food security, economic growth, and sustainable development.

As she aptly summarised: “The goldmine is already here. Our task is to recognise it, refine it, and enjoy endless possibilities from it as a nation.”

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