The Borno State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, has commissioned a livestock improvement and ranch settlement project in Ngarannam community, Mafa Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, while speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, stated that the project is designed to boost the agricultural economy of the state, which has been severely impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency.
According to Governor Zulum, 640 men and women have been selected as beneficiaries of the project, with each receiving a range of items, including livestock such as cows and goats, as well as food staples like 25kg bags of rice, beans, and maize grits.
Additionally, they will receive essential household items, including buckets, mats, wrappers, blankets, and shelter.
The governor explained that these items are intended to provide support and assistance to the beneficiaries, enabling them to rebuild their lives and achieve self-sufficiency.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar, emphasised that the objective of the project is to build a strong foundation for a post-oil economy through livestock development.
This, he said, would contribute significantly to the creation of a more commercialised and vibrant economy, providing jobs, reducing poverty, and driving economic growth in the country.
Mukhtar highlighted the need to engage women in livestock activities and standardise practices in the sector.
He also disclosed that the ministry is working to prevent animal diseases, such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and foot-and-mouth disease, and is organising the value chain through cluster and productive alliance models for sustainable production.
The Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, commended the establishment of the federal ministry, saying it would help find solutions to the challenges in the sector.
He noted that solving agricultural problems is crucial to boosting the livestock sector in the country, stressing that commercial agriculture is essential for ensuring national food security.
Kadafur expressed concern about the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing them with adequate support and care.
Miyetti Allah President, Alhaji Baba Usman, has urged members to key into the new RUGA programme, designed to address the challenges faced by farmers and cattle rearers in the country.
According to him, this initiative is a game-changer in tackling the problems faced by these groups and fostering peaceful coexistence.
The association will work towards creating a more harmonious and productive relationship between farmers and cattle rearers, ultimately benefiting society.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Markus Ogwuboye, who represented the Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Abubakar Kyari, said the ministry is committed to enhancing the livelihood of stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making the project a reality and emphasized the need for the beneficiaries to take full ownership of the facilities to ensure their optimal utilization.
Dr Ogwuboye also stressed the importance of having a dependable partner to drive agricultural development, ensure food security, and stimulate economic growth in the country.
Professor Attahiru Jega, the guest speaker at the ceremony, emphasized the crucial role of commercial agriculture in ensuring national food security, given the country’s sizable population.
He urged the government to tackle pressing issues such as limited access to finance, inadequate market access, and security concerns.
Jega noted that the transformation of the livestock sector has garnered significant investment, with over $2 billion pouring in from foreign countries, including Saudi Arabia, and is poised to create jobs, improve healthcare, reduce conflicts, generate revenue, and bolster security.
He called on stakeholders to collaborate with the federal government to develop the livestock sector, which requires attention and priority, and assured that the committee will work closely with state governments, particularly the Borno Model, to achieve this objective.
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