By Chiroma Ali Ibrahim
Driven by a commitment to livestock development, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, alongside the Minist iner of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar, has inaugurated the Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement.
This landmark project, inaugurated in the presence of key stakeholders including Professor Attahiru Jega, Co-Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Implementing Livestock Reforms, among others, signifies a pivotal shift toward modernizing the nation’s livestock sector while addressing long-standing issues such as farmer-herder conflicts, inadequate infrastructure, and low productivity.
The Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement is designed to enhance livestock farming in the region by providing essential infrastructure, improved grazing conditions, animal health services, and modern ranching practices.
This new settlement, equipped with advanced veterinary clinics, sustainable water supply systems, and breeding centers, charts a clear path toward transforming the sector into a sustainable and profitable industry.
Governor Babagana Zulum,, expressed unwavering support for the project during the inauguration ceremony.
He underscored the livestock sector’s critical role in boosting economic growth, reducing poverty, and fostering peace in the region.
The Governor announced that the Ngarannam settlement features state-of-the-art facilities, including housing estates, schools, health clinics, veterinary services, and pasture development centers to ensure smooth operation.
“The ranch also includes milk collection hubs, markets, and security outposts to foster economic growth and ensure safety,” he added.
Prof Zulum revealed that each of the 461 households from 18 communities displaced by insurgency in the Ngarannam area would receive humanitarian relief packages and livestock, including pairs of bulls, heifers, and goats, as part of efforts to restore livelihoods.
The Governor praised the collaboration between Borno State and the federal government, particularly through the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, which is steering the national agenda for reform in the livestock sector.
The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Dr. Umar Kadafur, who also serves as the Commissioner for the Ministry of Livestock Development, noted that the Ngarannam ranch is equipped with over 27 essential facilities, including a breeding center, earth dams, and solar-powered boreholes for irrigation and livestock needs. He added that 200 hectares of rain-fed pasture had been cultivated to support year-round grazing.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of state-level involvement in these reforms.
He commended Borno State for its proactive approach to livestock management and urged other states to adopt similar strategies.
He stated that the project, initiated to modernize livestock production, aims to improve food security, reduce farmer-herder conflicts, and restore livelihoods in communities affected by insurgency.
Maiha commended the Borno State Government for its significant role in the initiative, describing it as a model for sustainable livestock development in Nigeria.
The Minister urged beneficiaries to take ownership of the facilities and ensure their effective use.
Maiha called on other states to emulate Borno’s approach, noting that the Federal Government would continue to support state governments in enhancing the livestock sector.
Delivering a key note address at occasion former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Co-Chair of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Committee, Professor Attahiru Jega, commended Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, for establishing a cattle ranch that is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
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