The Adamawa State Agribusiness Support Programme ADAS-P and other Stakeholders in the livestock sector have called for stronger collaboration, improved market infrastructure, and effective policy implementation to enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of livestock markets.

The call was made during a one-day Livestock Market Attractiveness and Development Planning Workshop, which brought together livestock marketers, farmers, transporters, government officials, development partners, and other key actors in the livestock value chain.

The workshop reviewed findings from a livestock market assessment, evaluated the progress of ongoing interventions, and provided stakeholders with an opportunity to validate the findings and contribute recommendations for improving market systems.

Participants identified poor coordination among stakeholders, transport challenges, weak market organization, and inadequate communication as some of the issues limiting the growth of livestock markets.

To address these challenges, the workshop recommended stronger collaboration between local government authorities, market actors, and development partners. Participants also advocated the establishment of stakeholder workgroups to improve planning and information gathering, increased government support through policy interventions, and the upgrading of livestock market infrastructure to improve accessibility and operations.

Other recommendations included harmonizing transport management to reduce multiple road transactions, strengthening market data collection and distribution systems, and improving communication among market leaders, suppliers, and other stakeholders to promote transparency and resolve operational challenges.

The workshop concluded with the presentation of a joint action plan and a commitment by participants to sustain cooperation in implementing the agreed recommendations aimed at developing efficient, competitive, and sustainable livestock markets.