U
Udeze Ekene
Guest
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has said the federal government would maximize grazing reserves in order to end herdsmen-farmers clashes.
Idi Maiha said as a livestock farmer, he understood the challenges facing the sector and its opportunities. He noted that the ministry would create a conducive environment for private investors to invest in the sector.
The new Minister stated this in his maiden address to the staff in Abuja. He identified high cost of feed, disease outbreaks, herders-farmers clash and climate change as factors affecting the sector.
“As a practicing livestock farmer, I am not oblivious of the challenges facing this sector.
“From limited and high cost of quality feed, to disease outbreaks, farmer-herder’s conflicts, over grazing, ageing stocks, climate change, limited access to credit facilities and modern technologies as well as inadequate infrastructure just to mention but a few.
“These are significant hurdles, yet I believe they are not insurmountable,” Maiha said.
The Livestock Minister assured that the ministry would ensure that the challenges are addressed to maximize the opportunities in the sector.
He explained “that livestock is not just a sector; it is a way of life for millions of Nigerians and a vital component of our food security, rural development, and cultural heritage“.
“We shall work to create an enabling environment that allows for investment, climate smart livestock farming, modernization and commercialization. Also, we shall prioritize maximum utilization and development of the nation’s grazing reserves as a sustainable approach to addressing farmer-herder’s clashes.
“Furthermore, we shall work towards incentivizing youths and women participation in livestock value chain as a veritable alternative to job creation, improved livelihood and wealth.
“Our mission, therefore, is not just to grow this sector but to transform it into a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive ecosystem for the private sector actors to thrive,” Daily Trust quoted Maiha.
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