The Jigawa State government is ramping up efforts to transform its livestock sector, aligning with the federal government to enhance food security, create jobs, and drive economic growth.
Speaking at the Jigawa State Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on Livestock Reforms in Dutse, Governor Umar Namadi emphasized the sector’s critical role in the state’s economy and culture. He revealed that livestock contributes nearly 10% to Jigawa’s GDP and plays a key part in achieving the state’s Greater Jigawa vision.
To accelerate development, Namadi unveiled a 12-point agenda focused on improving animal breeding, expanding dairy production, and supporting livestock farmers. He also reiterated plans to establish a dedicated Ministry for Livestock Development to drive policy implementation and maximize the sector’s economic potential.
“Our goal is to create an enabling environment for a vibrant and productive livestock industry,” Namadi stated, highlighting recent achievements such as training 300 community animal health workers, vaccinating over 560,000 animals, and designating 57 grazing reserves.
Attahiru Jega, co-chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee (PLRIC), commended Jigawa’s leadership in advancing livestock reforms. He revealed that JBS S.A., a global livestock giant, plans to invest $2.5 billion in Nigeria’s livestock sector, focusing on modern ranches and processing plants.
Jega urged Jigawa to establish a dedicated livestock agency, expand grazing reserves, and implement an advanced animal tracking system to enhance security, efficiency, and productivity.
“Jigawa is well-positioned to lead Nigeria’s livestock revolution, creating jobs and boosting the economy,” Jega stated.
With these strategic reforms, Jigawa aims to unlock the full potential of its livestock sector, positioning the state as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
