President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the establishment of a new Ministry of Livestock Development, as announced during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope livestock reform implementation committee at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.
The initiative stems from recommendations put forth by the National Livestock Reforms Committee on September 14, 2023. Former Kano State Governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, disclosed that the committee proposed the creation of a “Ministry of Livestock Resources” to tackle longstanding conflicts between farmers and nomadic herders across Nigeria.
Ganduje, addressing State House Correspondents after meeting with the President at the Aso Rock Villa, highlighted the urgency of addressing the complexities within the livestock sector. He emphasized the need to enhance productivity and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported dairy and meat products.
The committee’s recommendations include reforming grazing practices, establishing and revitalizing grazing reserves, and possibly creating a Ministry of Livestock Resources, aligning with practices in neighboring West African countries. Alternatively, they suggest expanding existing livestock production departments at both federal and state levels to cater to industry needs comprehensively.
Ganduje underscored that the reforms aim not only to boost sector productivity but also to mitigate conflicts that have tragically resulted in loss of lives and livelihoods across the country. He stressed the importance of robust institutional frameworks to ensure effective implementation of the proposed reforms.
Furthermore, funding mechanisms were outlined in the committee’s recommendations, involving contributions from international organizations, the private sector, and government allocations.
As details continue to develop, the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development marks a significant step towards addressing longstanding challenges within Nigeria’s livestock industry and fostering peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
