Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed has emphasized the importance of maximising the state’s human and animal resources in order to improve food production and ensure availability.
The Governor was speaking on Monday in Itas, headquarters of Itas/Gadau LGA during the launching of the 2025 annual Livestock Vaccination Exercise which he said is a step towards enhancing livestock production and food security in the State.
He stressed that the vaccination campaign is targeting not fewer than 1.5m animals across the Twenty local government areas of the state which also includes the procurement of over 10,000 doses of rabies vaccines, is in response to recent cases of animal bites involving dogs and other animals in parts of the state.
The vaccination exercise aims to promote a healthy livestock population and encourage livestock farming as a means of boosting the state’s economy.
Bala Mohammed further emphasized Bauchi’s status as a leading state in livestock population attributing the development to influx of Fulani cattle breeders from conflict-affected areas across the country.
He also announced plans to construct 100 dams along cattle routes to guarantee access to water and foster harmonious relationships between farmers and herders.
Bala Mohammed used the occasion to announce the creation of Ministry of Livestock Development which is aimed at addressing the challenges faced by herders and farmers in the State which often result in violent clashes.
The Governor expressed optimism that the development will boost livestock production for economic growth and development of the state.
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He also appreciated the support of traditional institutions, religious leaders and security agencies in maintaining peace in the State which has made it the most peaceful in the subregion.
He therefore urged people of the State to leverage on the peace and abundant land resources to engage in both small and large scale farming coupled with livestock farming to boost their economic prosperity.
According to him, “In partnership with Donor Partners and Non-governmental Organizations, the State Government plans to establish semi-earth dams and other initiatives to drive livestock development.”
Bala Mohammed then directed the 20 LGAs in the State to ensure that the vaccination exercise was implemented effectively across the State.
The Emir of Katagum, Alh Umar Faruq II, in his remarks, commended the Governor’s efforts in supporting all sections of the Society.
Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Alhaji Kabiru Yusuf Tilde and the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Muhammad Husaini Buzaye commended the Governor for the initiative and urged livestock owners to take full advantage of the campaign by vaccinating their animals.
The leaders also called for the inclusion of animal feed distribution exercises and sustained livestock vaccination programmes as part of the state government’s agricultural development initiative.
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