MACBAN Hails Creation of Livestock Ministry, Sees Multi-Trillion Naira Economic Opportunities

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has expressed its deepest appreciation to the federal government for creating the Ministry of Livestock Development, which it believes will unlock the multi-trillion naira livestock economy and create qualitative and productive jobs across the value chain.

According to Alhaji Baba Usman Ngelzarma, MACBAN president, the creation of the ministry is a fulfillment of the promise made by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to raise the productive capacity of Nigerian agriculture to ensure food security. Ngelzarma noted that MACBAN had been agitating for the creation of a stand-alone ministry to modernize livestock production system in line with global best practices.

The association is committed to ensuring that livestock production is turned into a foreign exchange earner and reducing farmer/herder conflicts and related security challenges in Nigeria. MACBAN also expressed its commitment to reducing the perennial farmers/herders conflict in rural areas by implementing the recommendations of the Livestock Reforms and Mitigation Committee.

Ngelzarma urged the federal government to implement the recommendations of the committee to seek a lasting solution to the conflict. He also commended the government for creating the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission for the Regulation, Management, Preservation and Control of Ranches.

MACBAN sees the creation of the ministry as a historic development that will benefit Nigerian pastoralists and the entire country. The association assured the federal government of its support and commitment to ensuring that livestock production is turned into a foreign exchange earner and reducing farmer/herder conflicts and related security challenges.

The statement added that on behalf of the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees of MACBAN, His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto and entire members of cattle Breeders association of Nigeria across the nation heartily congratulate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces for this wonderful development.