Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has inaugurated members of the National Council on Livestock Development and the Technical Committee, aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector into a major driver of economic diversification, food security, rural development, and peacebuilding.
Represented by his Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, Governor Fintiri called on the Minister of Livestock Development to facilitate the “Natural Resource Fund Grant Application” submitted to the President in May 2024, titled “Improving Livestock Productivity and Mitigation of Herders-Farmers Conflict through Effective Utilization of Grazing Reserves.”
Deputy Governor Farauta also sought funding intervention for a Model Demonstration Pilot Ranch under the National Livestock Transformation Project (NLTP) pillar on “Economic Investment in Livestock Ranching, Fodder Production and Value Chains.”
She noted that the state government has rehabilitated and demarcated 69 grazing reserves and stock routes, desilted dams, and provided watering points for livestock in most gazetted reserves.
Other initiatives highlighted include the establishment of a state office for the NLTP in Gongoshi Grazing Reserve for pasture development, modernization of international cattle and livestock markets, reconstruction of Yola Ultra-Modern Abattoirs, and the construction of modern veterinary hospitals, clinics, and laboratories.
The government has also constructed Artificial Insemination Centres across the three geopolitical zones and established cold-chain facilities and milk collection centres to strengthen veterinary and animal health systems, including vaccination against CBPP, FMD, PPR, HS, LS, and rabies.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, during the inaugural meeting, urged the committee to foster collaboration and attract investment in the livestock value chain.
The council, chaired by the Minister, has Dr Chinyere Akujobi, Permanent Secretary, as secretary, with commissioners and directors of ministries of livestock development from the 36 states and FCT, as well as key stakeholders in the livestock industry as members.
The Ministry of Livestock Development was established to transform the sector from traditional, often conflict-prone practices into a modern, sustainable, and economically vibrant industry, guided by the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), the National Livestock Master Plan, and other initiatives.
The council meeting, themed “Livestock Rebirth: Accelerating Renewed Hope,” seeks to expand the livestock industry from $32 billion to $74 billion within five years. Several companies have expressed interest in investing in dairy, beef, fodder, small ruminants, animal breeding, poultry, and piggery.
Additionally, the ministry has registered eight new pasture species, rehabilitated the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, and plans to increase livestock vaccine production from 120 million to 850 million doses annually.
Deputy Governor Farauta said the target to double national milk production from 700,000 to 1.4 million metric tonnes annually is now achievable, a move expected to reduce the country’s $1.5 billion annual dairy import bill.
