The Livestock Sector and its contributions to the Protein and Energy needs of the Nigerian Population

Abstract

The study was designed to assess the contributions of the livestock sector to the protein and energy needs of the Nigerian population by 2050 using an annual time series data from 1980 to 2010. Projected population figures from 2012 to 2050 were used to estimate the extra amount of protein and energy that will be required by the population in 2050. Energy and protein supply data from animal-derived foods, mainly; cattle meat and milk, sheep meat, goat meat, poultry eggs and meat, from 1980 to 2010 were calculated using animal production data and McCance and Widdowson’s composition of foods. The data were analysed using an Excel spreadsheet programme. The result showed that animal-derived foods contributed a total of 47,805,756 MJ/d of energy and 1,027,901 kg/d of protein in 2010. Meanwhile, to meet the additional energy and protein needs of the projected Nigerian population of 389.615 million people by 2050, animal-derived foods would have to supply 37.4% more energy and 9.0% more protein than in 2010. The results thus indicate a gap between current production and expected protein and energy requirement of the population by 2050; which must be closed if food security is to be achieved.