The Federal Government has announced a partnership with the Katsina State Government to convert 123,000 hectares of existing grazing reserves into modern ranches as part of a nationwide effort to transform livestock production and enhance food security.
Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this when he received the Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umar Radda, at the ministry in Abuja.
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According to the minister, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to modernise the livestock sector and reduce conflicts associated with open grazing. He said the programme would focus on developing infrastructure for ranching, meat processing, and dairy production, while positioning Katsina as a model for sustainable livestock management in Nigeria.
“Our goal is to create modern ranches that will not only serve the local market but also promote halal meat production for export,” Dr. Maiha stated, adding that the Federal Government would soon deploy a technical team to Katsina to assess the designated sites and finalise implementation plans.
In his remarks, Governor Dikko Radda commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will revitalise animal husbandry and empower thousands of livestock farmers across the state.
“Katsina has one of the largest livestock populations in northern Nigeria, and over 90 percent of our people depend on agriculture and animal rearing. This collaboration will help us address challenges in the sector and create job opportunities for our youths,” the governor said.
The governor expressed readiness to provide full support for the project, including land, security, and local community participation to ensure smooth implementation.
Experts believe the ranching initiative could play a key role in reducing farmer-herder clashes, increasing livestock yields, and expanding Nigeria’s capacity for halal meat exports if properly executed.
The proposed conversion marks one of the first major steps under the newly created Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, which was established by President Tinubu earlier in 2025 to drive livestock reforms across the country.
