By Adama Makasuba
Dr. Abdou Ceesay, director of department of livestock has said livestock sector contributes 7 percent to the national gross domestic product and approximately 30 percent to the agricultural gross domestic product.
Dr. Ceesay was speaking at a news conference held at Senegambia over the weekend as the nation’s small ruminants’ breeders are gearing up for ram exhibition show due in February 18 to 21, 2021.
“We all know that livestock which is a sub-sector of the agricultural sector of this country continue to play a very significant role in the socio-economic development of this country. The livestock sector in this country contributes 7% to the national GDP and approximately 30% to the agricultural GDP,” he said.
He added: “It also contributes to the enhancement of food security to household level and also socio-economic uplift of the people. It helps in creating jobs, especially among the youths and women. It also contributes to households’ level and as a source of protein.”
However, he said: These are attributed to some challenges some of which include the fact that the production system that is practice in this country continues to be dominated by traditional practices with little use of improved management practices. Under this system productivity continues to be low hence the reliance on import to satisfy the increasing demand on livestock and livestock.”
“Another factor which is a challenge to sheep being able to contribute to our socio-economic includes low participation of the private sector with its subsequent low investment. Disease as we all know is a challenge to livestock production more especially to small ruminants.”
But he said the government has policies that aim to transform the livestock sub-sector to contribute more significantly in the country to the GDP.
“It also aims to increase on sustainable basis the production and productivity of the breeds that we have and again it continues to work in enhancing private sector participation and investment in the livestock sector,” he said.