The African Pastoral Market Development Platform (APMDP), an initiative hosted by the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in collaboration with the Nigerian government, has launched the 1st Analytics and Implementers’ Engagement Workshop. The program aims to integrate women and youth into the pastoral livestock value chain, marking a transformative shift in livestock marketing approaches.
The four-day workshop, held in Abuja, emphasizes fostering inclusive market development in pastoral communities by addressing barriers that have historically excluded marginalized groups. Key elements of the initiative include private sector integration, policy reforms, and specialized financial inclusion programs designed for women and youth entrepreneurs. Participants will also benefit from comprehensive training in livestock marketing and agribusiness management.
To further support these efforts, data ecosystems and diffusion platforms will be introduced, providing critical tools and real-time market intelligence to enhance decision-making. Mobile-based market information systems will deliver advisory services to young livestock marketers, ensuring access to timely and relevant market data.
Capacity-building efforts will connect experienced livestock traders with emerging entrepreneurs, promoting knowledge transfer and cooperative development. These evidence-based business models aim to create sustainable pathways for women and youth participation in the livestock market.
Dr. Winnie Lai, Director of Animal Husbandry Services at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, praised the initiative’s transformative potential. “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,” she said.
Participants have expressed optimism about the program’s impact. Halima Osman, a livestock trader from Kaduna State, described the initiative as both an economic opportunity and a recognition of women’s capacity to innovate within pastoral markets. This perspective highlights the broader social and psychological benefits of empowering women and youth in rural communities.
The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the program, which aligns with broader efforts to enhance agricultural development across the country. Future phases will focus on monitoring and evaluating the initiative’s outcomes, scaling successful interventions, and creating models that can be adapted across other African regions.
This initiative represents a holistic approach to market development, addressing long-standing inequalities while leveraging the talents of women and youth. As it unfolds, the program promises to revolutionize pastoral livestock marketing and unlock new economic opportunities in rural Nigerian communities and beyond.
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