The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to accelerate reforms, attract investment and unlock the vast economic potential of the livestock sector.
The Ministry of Livestock Development disclosed this in a statement posted on its X handle on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Murtala Garo, who represented Governor Abba Yusuf, gave the assurance on Friday, while receiving the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and his delegation at the Government House, Kano, at the commencement of the minister’s three-day working visit to the state.
He highlighted the state’s achievements since the establishment of the Kano State Ministry of Livestock Development, including statewide livestock vaccination campaigns, deployment of a Livestock Information Management System, expansion of disease surveillance, pasture development, veterinary services, modern livestock infrastructure and youth and women empowerment programmes.
“Since the ministry was created, we have recorded significant progress through statewide vaccination campaigns against major livestock diseases, which have improved animal health and protected the livelihoods of livestock farmers across the state.
“We have deployed a Livestock Information Management System to strengthen data collection, disease surveillance and evidence-based planning, while upgrading our veterinary training and research facilities to improve service delivery and innovation,” he said.
He further stated that Kano State is collaborating with the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project to expand pasture and fodder development, describing sustainable feed production as essential to improving livestock productivity.
“Through our empowerment programmes, over 5,000 women have been supported in poultry production, 2,000 youths have been empowered in livestock enterprises, about 10,000 women have benefited from small ruminant production initiatives, while more than 3,000 youths have received support under our fish farming programme,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr Maiha, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to partnering with Kano State to unlock the enormous economic potential of Nigeria’s livestock sector through value addition, industrialisation and expanded export opportunities.
He commended the Kano State Government for establishing a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development, describing the move as a demonstration of visionary leadership and a shared commitment to repositioning the livestock sector as a major contributor to economic growth, job creation and national prosperity.
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“We are very, very gladdened by this move… We are here in Kano to partner with the Government and the good people of Kano State to advance the livestock value chain and ensure that public investments translate into real development outcomes.
“Nigeria is the leading producer of hides and skins in Africa, and Kano State alone processes close to 80 per cent of that total. This sector has enormous potential for wealth creation, job opportunities, export earnings and industrial development if properly harnessed,” the minister stated.
He added that the federal ministry is working with states to modernise livestock production through investments in leather processing, commercial pasture development, dairy production, livestock settlements and red meat processing.
In his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Aliyu Aliyu, described the minister’s visit as another milestone in the growing partnership between the federal and Kano state governments.
