Mukhtar Drives Modern Livestock Production in Katsina

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to reposition Nigeria’s livestock sector by deepening collaboration with producers, advancing modern production practices, and strengthening strategic partnerships with state governments and private sector investors.

The Minister stated this on Friday, 19th June 2026, during the first day of a three-day working visit to Katsina State, where he inspected key livestock facilities and engaged directly with producers and stakeholders across the livestock value chain. The facilities visited included a privately owned ranch in Charanchi Local Government Area, the Katsina State Goat Multiplication and Genetic Improvement Centre in Rimi Local Government Area, the Obasanjo Sheep and Goat Farm, and Jobe Farm located in the Barhim area of the state.

Speaking after the inspections, Mukhtar said the visit was part of the Ministry's determination to move beyond policy discussions and connect directly with livestock producers to better understand the realities, challenges and opportunities within the sector.

According to him, the ranch in Charanchi serves as practical evidence that ranching is not only possible in Nigeria but is already being successfully implemented by private investors.

"it's a very ambitious ranch sitting on about 150 hectares of land, with over 50 hectares already dedicated to pasture cultivation and supported by an earth dam for dry-season irrigation. The farm has also invested in improved cattle genetics through Gudali-Holstein crosses, demonstrating a clear focus on dairy production," he said.

The Minister noted that the success of the ranch dispels misconceptions that modern ranching is impractical or too expensive for Nigeria, stressing that such investments provide a model for sustainable livestock production and economic growth.

He also commended the Katsina State Goat Multiplication Centre, describing it as an innovative initiative designed to empower women and youth through livestock ownership.

At the time of the visit, the facility housed about 3,000 goats and serves as a breeding and multiplication centre for livestock distribution programmes across the state.

"The concept is commendable and aligns with our vision of creating economic opportunities through livestock development. We look forward to deeper engagement with the state government on how this initiative can be further strengthened and scaled up," he said.

At the Obasanjo Sheep and Goat Farm, the Minister praised the investment as another demonstration of the enormous opportunities within the livestock sector, noting that technical assessments, including sample collection for disease surveillance and laboratory analysis, had been conducted to support improved animal health management.

"We do not want designer farms; we want commercially viable farms linked to markets, science, technology and processing industries. With modern abattoirs and livestock processing facilities coming on stream, we need producers who can consistently supply quality animals to meet growing demand," he stated.

The Minister urged Nigerians, particularly young people and investors, to take advantage of emerging opportunities within the livestock value chain, describing the sector as a critical driver of food security, employment generation, rural development and economic diversification.

Speaking on the state's livestock development initiatives, the Katsina State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Professor Ahmad Mohammad Bakori, said the state government had continued to invest in animal health services, disease control and livestock empowerment programmes.

He disclosed that seven veterinary clinics across the state had been fully rehabilitated and equipped to provide quality animal healthcare services to livestock owners, while annual statewide immunisation campaigns were being intensified to prevent the spread of transboundary animal diseases.

According to the Commissioner, the State, in collaboration with the Federal Government, successfully contained an outbreak of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) recorded last year through rapid intervention, targeted vaccination and movement control measures.

He further revealed that the Goat Multiplication Centre would soon become a major breeding hub through the introduction of artificial insemination and genetic improvement programmes aimed at enhancing livestock productivity and reducing dependence on external sources of breeding animals.

Henrietta Okokon
Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations
June 20, 2026