The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has said the federal government is strengthening collaboration with states, the FCT and private investors to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector through the establishment of commercially driven Livestock Development Centres.

Maiha disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja, where he clarified the government’s Livestock Development Centre concept and outlined the roles of the federal government, states and private sector in driving the initiative.

He explained that the Livestock Development Centre model was designed to create a practical platform for implementing the government’s livestock transformation agenda and attracting private capital into the sector.

According to the Minister, the centres would not be government-owned farms where the government would undertake all commercial activities, but open and regulated platforms where private investors, producers and cooperatives could develop profitable livestock businesses.

He said each participating state would be allowed to select the livestock species or value chain that best suited its agroecology, feed and water resources, producer base, market demand and investment potential.

“Livestock production is place-specific,” the minister said, stressing that Nigeria’s different ecological zones required different approaches to livestock development.

He said the Federal Government would provide national policies, technical standards, animal health protocols, food safety requirements, traceability systems, data and regulatory coordination.

States, he explained, would provide suitable and properly documented land, local infrastructure, community engagement, security coordination and producer mobilisation, while private investors would finance and operate the commercial components.

Maiha said the Federal Capital Territory Administration had reserved a large expanse of land for livestock settlements under the city master plan.

“The 33,000 hectares reserved for livestock settlement are located outside the Abuja metropolis.

“The city is not designed to co-mingle livestock with people. Livestock owners will be able to come into the city while their animals remain in designated production areas.

“The government is working with the FCT Administration to rehabilitate existing livestock facilities, including Kawu Grazing Reserve, Karshi and Paiko-Kore.

“Kawu Grazing Reserve has recorded improvements, with three boreholes provided alongside a digital weather station to support livestock production and management,” he said.

Maiha said discussions were ongoing with the FCT authorities to rehabilitate other livestock facilities and integrate them into the settled livestock production system.

He said the framework assigned clear responsibilities to the Federal Government, states and private investors. (Daily Trust)