Nigeria’s first livestock e-commerce platform, Livestock247, launches animal identification and traceability technology to compliment government’s efforts of regulating, structuring, transforming and promoting investments in the livestock sector of the economy.
The platform is structured to bring together the livestock stakeholders, connecting buyers, sellers, ranchers, livestock merchants, veterinary professionals, butcheries/abattoirs, haulage and logistics companies and financial services providers to ensure the customers have cost effective, convenient and healthy livestock available.
Amina Oyagbola, the chairperson of Livestock247 said, the livestock market has for long cried out for standardization, rationalization and structure to reposition the health and economic wellbeing of our communities, nation and Africa at large.
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According to her, livestock247 seeks to substantially limit the dangers inherent in the distribution, handling and preparation of livestock by simplifying access to health, fit for slaughter livestock. “This is of particular importance because the World Organisation of Animal Health Countries (OIE) has reported that 60 percent of existing human infectious diseases are zoonotic diseases that transmit from animals to humans,” said Oyagbola.
Ibrahim Maigari, the CEO of livestock247 said the platform is enhancing and facilitating financial inclusion by bridging the livestock market gap, thereby taking livestock production to the mainstream.
According to Maigari, the 2011 Agricultural survey released in 2016 by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture reveals that 95 percent of the national herd is under pastoralist and small holders’ management, hence justifying the need for transformation and intensification of production. “…Nigeria cannot legally export a kilogram of beef today before livestock247; with livestock247, you can just buy off the platform and start export,” said Maigari.
“This is a major disruption of livestock market in Nigeria. The application of technology to buy livestock is good for the economy, the people, and food security. It’s important we look at other industries also; on how to use technology to solve real world problem,” said Hakeem Fahm, the Lagos State commissioner for science and technology.
SEYI JOHN SALAU
