NIGERIA: FG Sets To Accelerate Ranching Policy – Livestock Development Minister

By Balogun Arisekola Azeez, Ilorin Kwara State.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has disclosed that the Federal Government is set to accelerate National Ranching Policy to improve livestock production, reduce insecurity and ensure economic prosperity.

The Minister who made the disclosure at a high-level Stakeholders’ engagement and Poultry Summit by Poultry Association of Nigeria, held in Ilorin, explained that Kwara State would pilot the policy.

Idi observed that despite huge potential in livestock production, Nigeria was unable to maximize the benefits of this agricultural sector due to lack of coordination, untill year 2024 when a dedicated ministry was created by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Through the Ministry of Livestock Development, the Minister explained that the Federal Government is implementing policies to increase livestock contribution to the national GDP to 74 billion dollars from the current 32 billion, one of which is the creation of National Livestock Centres.

According to him, “The centers are expected to optimize livestock production along value chains, guarantee food security and stem the tide of farmers herders crisis in the country”.

The Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Afeez Alabi, assured participants of sustained government intervention.

“Poultry production is not just an agricultural activity; it is a strategic pillar of food security, job creation for youth and women, and economic growth. Livestock production remains central to our development agenda, and poultry occupies a very special place within it,” he said.

The Governor therefore, promised continued support for farmers’ training, access to improved inputs, biosecurity, veterinary services, and livestock business value chains while promoting innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in the sector.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Poultry Association of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter, Engr Sanusi Abdulwaheed Kolapo, said the programme is poised to expose poultry farmers in the state to new ways of participating in poultry farming using latest equipment and methods

He appealed to both Federal and State Governments to support poultry farmers as it would go a long way in providing good and rich proteins for the country.

The Chairman also called on government at all levels to assist poultry farmers in getting feeds at subsidized rate, explaining that the present rate of the feeds is not sustainable.

Earlier, th Kwara State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, emphasized youth empowerment through agriculture.

According to her:“There is no reason for Nigerian students to graduate unemployed. Livestock is positioned to achieve that in Kwara. This is why this high-level engagement is set up. And the initiative aims to shift focus from conflict to production”.

“We are going to turn machine guns into milking machines and armoured tanks into tractors, ensuring that youth are fully engaged in livestock and agri

business,” Thomas declared.