Nigerian Government launches anti-cattle rustling initiative in Kwara State

The Kwara State Governor and Chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has commended Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking various bold steps to develop livestock and end perennial herders-farmers clashes across communities.

The Governor specifically mentioned the recent inauguration of livestock reforms implementation committee by the federal government and its move to establish a Ministry for Livestock Development as historic efforts to transform agricultural landscape and enhance food security in a sustainable way.

The Governor was speaking in Ilorin at the launch of the National Animal Identification Traceability System (NAITS) for the state.

The programme was organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

“About 24 hours ago, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, inaugurated the committee on the implementation of livestock reforms along with a historic plan to establish the Ministry of Livestock Development. This announcement has expectedly sparked national excitement around the future of livestock value chains and the potential to end the perennial clashes between herders and farmers. We thank Mr. President for these historic steps and we are confident that all stakeholders will rally round the President to achieve this,” the Governor said through his Counselor and Senior Advisor, Sa’adu Salaudeen.

The Governor thanked the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari and his team for the hard work to transform the agric sector for economic diversification, adding that serves as a model for his government in the state.

“This explains why our administration in Kwara State has paid good attention to the livestock sub sector, as is evident with our participation in the LPRES, SAPZ programmes and our FASEP partnership with the French Government. Our investment is driven by the fact that most of the rural populace have one or two types of livestock which act as an economic buffer and a source of emergency exchange for cash,” he said.

“Our aim is to ensure that our small holding livestock farmers become commercially oriented so that they can respond to the growing demand for quality food from urban centres, the realities of climate change, and the fluctuating global economy. This will also ensure that their families have adequate supply of animal proteins and enjoy improved livelihood”.

AbdulRazaq pledged to support the agricultural initiative by facilitating the construction and equipping of the Kwara NAITS centre through the LPRESS, and solicited for more collaborations with the federal government, particularly in developing irrigation for all-year farming, agricultural mechanization.

“We also look forward to more collaborations, particularly in developing irrigation for all-year farming, agricultural mechanization, opening of more lands for agriculture, development of our airport for agricultural exports, capacity building for our farmers and the development of commercial farming settlements for our youths and women. This will tackle the produce demand and supply gap and reduce the unemployment burden in the country,” he added.

Senator Abdullahi, for his part, said NAITS is part of the national livestock transformation programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration that seek to reduce cattle rustling and farmers-herders clashes, as well as engendering peaceful coexistence in the country.

He said the federal government is working tirelessly to develop livestock transformation that would satisfy local demands and the exportation to foreign countries.

“Growing domestic and global demands for animal products is key to this administration. When we develop our livestock industry and we are able to satisfy our local demands, we should also begin to think of how to export to other countries. So, export is a long term vision but in the present, our interest is to organize this industry so that owners of this industry would benefit from it,” the Minister said, calling on all key stakeholders to see NAITS as an initiative that is designed to benefit and not create discomfort for anyone.

He praised Governor AbdulRazaq for his sincere commitment to develop agriculture in the state, asking the government to do more.

Thomas, in her remarks, said the state government will continue to leverage technology and innovation to drive agricultural transformation in the state, adding NAITS is a critical tool for agricultural excellence that is dear to the administration.

“This intervention will improve the livelihoods of our farmers, enhance food production, facilitate access to new markets and finance, and reduce poverty,” she said.

Highlight of the programme was a symbolic tag of some cattles with registration numbers by Honourable Minister to guide against their theft or ease their recovery when stolen.

In attendance at the programme were government officials both from the Federal and state, including Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Oloruntoyosi Thomas; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye; Special Assistant to the Governor on Farmers Intervention, Onaolomipo Alaye; State Coordinator L-Press, Soji Oyawoye; Alangua Owode, Alhaji Kayode Sidiq; Chairman for Ejiowuro, Alhaji Tijani Usman; some leaders of the Miyetti Allah Association; and several livestock farmers and stakeholders; among other dignitaries.