The Federal Government says the unveiling of the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS), will enable Nigeria compete favourably in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Mrs Winnie Tai- Solarin,  Director, Animal Husbandry Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said this at the stakeholders engagement session of NAITS on Thursday in Abuja.

She said that with the technology, Nigeria has now taken its pride of place in the community of nations.

” Now, that NAlTS is in place the importance of NAiT cannot be over emphasised,” she said.

She explained that one of the benefits of the new technology is that animals in the country would be identified.

” We will be able to identify our animals; we will be able to trace them and we will be able to encourage farmers to keep proper records and data of these animals.

” You know that data is very expensive, it is something that you need for planning, data is what government will require to also intervene.

” Data is what the farmers will need to sell their animals in the international market and space,” she said.

Tai- Solarin said that with the new system, animal products would be traced to their sources.

She said that through NAITS employment would be created as enumerators would be trained on how to tag animals.

In a goodwill message, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir- Usman, commended the federal government for the initiative.

The emir was represented by the Danjin Katisna, Alhaji Bello Abdulkadri.

Dr Ayodele Majekodunmi, representing the Food and Agriculture Organisation ( FAO), said the NAITS is a big achievement for Nigeria in terms of food production and security.

She said that the organisation would continue to support the federal government in its drive to achieve food security.