The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the livestock sector through modernization and the resuscitation of grazing reserves. Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, emphasized this commitment during the National Pasture Planting Day ceremony held at the Kawu Grazing Reserve in Abuja.
The initiative aims to boost food security, promote sustainable livestock development, and enhance environmental stewardship. To achieve this, the government will modernize 417 grazing reserves nationwide, providing essential infrastructure like water, schools, clinics, markets, and abattoirs.
Key aspects of the program include improving livestock productivity through breed improvement, veterinary services, and pasture development. The government will also promote climate-smart livestock systems, transitioning to more sustainable and productive models of pasture and fodder development.
“We are investing in the release and registration of pasture varieties into our national seed system. Today’s planting activity is symbolic of a larger national effort to improve animal nutrition, boost meat and dairy production, and transition to climate-smart livestock systems,” Minister Maiha said.
The minister highlighted the importance of addressing the lack of quality and sustainable fodder, which has led to nutritional deficiencies in animals and conflicts between farmers and herders. To address this, the ministry has released eight new pasture varieties, established training programs for pasture and herder extension services, and implemented irrigation systems to support grazing reserves.
“If we plant these grasses today, let it be a symbol of hope that we are nurturing a future where cattle do not need to wander hundreds of kilometers in search of food and water. Let it mark the beginning of a new era where our grazing reserves are not just places of grass but centers of excellence in animal husbandry and veterinary services,” Minister Maiha emphasized.
The initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at strengthening livestock production, enhancing food security, and building a sustainable agricultural future. The government is encouraging collaboration with state and local governments, development partners, NGOs, and traditional institutions to support grazing reserve development.
By working together, the government hopes to create a more modern, productive, and profitable livestock value chain, reducing conflicts and improving the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians who depend on livestock for their livelihoods.
