In a ground-breaking move that promises to reshape the pastoral livestock marketing landscape, the African Pastoral Market Development Platform (APMDP), an initiative hosted by African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled the 1st Analytics and Implementers’ Engagement Workshop integrating women and youth deeply into the pastoral livestock value chain.
This follows the ongoing Four-day Analytics and Implementers’ Engagement workshop held in Abuja, which underscores the critical importance of inclusive market development in pastoral communities. This strategic initiative represents a significant step towards transforming traditional livestock marketing approaches by empowering previously marginalised stakeholders- women and the youth.
The programme’s core focus is multifaceted, addressing private sector integration into pastoral livestock chain, enabling policy and regulatory environment that have historically restricted women and youth participation in pastoral livestock markets. For instance, financial inclusion programmes, a component of the interventions, seeks to introduce specialised micro-credit schemes designed specifically for women and youth entrepreneurs, complemented by comprehensive training in livestock marketing and agribusiness management.Â
Additionally, data ecosystems and diffusion platform initiatives will be established to bridge pastoral knowledge gaps and provide critical market access tools and data for process planning and decision making in livestock marketing.
Further, technology transfer stands at the forefront of this transformative approach. Mobile-based market information systems will be implemented, providing real-time market intelligence and advisory services to young pastoral marketers.
Private sector integration and capacity building represent another crucial dimension of the initiative. Innovative and evidence-based business models and best practices that would connect experienced livestock traders with emerging entrepreneurs, creating knowledge transfer pathways with particular emphasis on supporting cooperative development.
Dr. Winnie Lai, Director, Animal Husbandry Services at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, emphasised the transformative potential of the initiative: “By focusing on women and youth, we’re not just developing a market – we’re building sustainable rural economic ecosystems that can drive national agricultural development.” This perspective underscores the initiative’s broader socio-economic objectives beyond mere market participation.
Women livestock traders like Halima Osman from Kaduna State are expressing optimism about the programme. “This initiative represents more than an economic opportunity,” she noted. “It’s recognition of our potential to drive innovation in pastoral markets.”
Such perspectives highlight the profound psychological and social impact of the initiative, which goes beyond economic empowerment to validate the capabilities of women and youth.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed robust commitment to the initiative in support of its implementation.
Looking forward, the APMDP initiative represents a holistic approach to market development, recognising that sustainable agricultural transformation requires inclusive strategies that empower historically marginalised groups. Future programme phases will focus on continuous monitoring and impact assessment, scaling successful interventions, and creating replicable models that can be adapted across other African pastoral regions.
As this ambitious programme unfolds, it stands as a testament to the potential of collaborative, inclusive approaches in agricultural development. By recognising and nurturing the talents of women and youth, the initiative not only promises to revolutionise pastoral livestock marketing but also to reshape economic opportunities in rural Nigerian communities.
By Amadi Allela
