Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has reaffirmed the State Government’s desire to work closely with the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee to improve the livestock sector.
Governor Umaru Bago stated this when he received the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee led by its Co-Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega on a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House Minna.
He said the State Government is carrying out genetic modification with a view to having resilient livestock that will provide both milk and beef adding that, the Government has invested so much in mechanisation acknowledging land clearing as one of the major factors in providing feed for animals.
The Governor disclosed that his administration has invested heavily in irrigation project stressing that, the Government is looking for partners in irrigation saying, the only way to achieve sustainable livestock regime is to ensure feed cropping for the animals throughout the year.
Governor Umaru Bago also disclosed that discussions are ongoing on logistics with other partners and re assured the Committee of the readiness of Niger State to work closely with it and invited the Committee to be part of the State’s livestock initiative and agricultural revolution with a view to providing Niger State with opportunities for public and private partnership.
The Co-Chairman, Presidential Livestock Reforms Committee, Prof. Attahiru Jega while commending the efforts of Governor Umaru Bago in the development of the livestock sector especially with the creation of both the MInistry of Livestock and fishery development and the Ministry of Pastoral and nomadic affairs saying it is the first of its kind in problem solving and economic engineering entities.
Prof. Jega stated that one of the primary objectives of the Committee is to work with State Governments to design tailored livestock development plans that addresses local challenges while aligning with the national priorities set by President Bola Tinubu saying, the Committee is poised to offer technical support and facilitate investment linkages.
He enumerated some factors the Niger State Government should consider which include the provision of legal, regulatory and investment friendly frameworks, strengthen platforms for capacity building, technology, gazetting of ungazetted grazing reserves and utilizing them for livestock development including the launching and implementation of animal identification and traceability system.
