Livestock equipment distributed to the beneficiaries
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming Kaduna State into the agricultural and livestock capital of Northern Nigeria, as he flagged off the distribution of livestock intervention support to 5,000 cooperatives across the state.
The governor made the disclosure on Thursday during the launch of the intervention programme in Kaduna, where various livestock production equipment and inputs were distributed to organised farmer cooperatives drawn from the 23 local government areas.
At the event, government distributed 500 solar-powered freezers complete with panels, inverters and batteries; 300 feed milling machines; 3,000 bags of poultry feed; and 200,000 day-old chicks to support livestock farmers and strengthen the value chain.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, Uba Sani said the intervention is part of broader efforts by the state government to build a Kaduna that is innovative, productive and inclusive in agricultural development.
He said the vision of his administration is to build a state that can feed itself, support the nation’s food security and export agricultural products to global markets.
“Our vision is to build a Kaduna State that stands tall as the heart of Nigeria’s agricultural renaissance – a centre of innovation, productivity and inclusive growth in agriculture,” the governor said.
He explained that in the current phase of the programme, 5,000 farmers grouped into cooperatives of ten members each will directly benefit from the distributed assets.
According to him, the intervention is expected to boost productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality and expand income opportunities, particularly for women and youths who play key roles in the livestock value chain.
Uba Sani noted that the state has already recorded significant milestones in livestock development through strategic investments.
He said the government has rehabilitated abattoirs and slaughter slabs, constructed veterinary clinics and boreholes in pastoral communities, and deployed mobile veterinary teams to ensure timely animal healthcare services.
“Our vaccination campaigns have protected over 850,000 cattle, 250,000 sheep and goats, 250,000 poultry and 5,000 dogs from transboundary diseases, safeguarding livelihoods and public health,” he said.
The governor further disclosed that the government had earlier distributed 100 residue crushers and 50 fodder choppers to cooperatives and pastoralist groups to convert crop residues into livestock feed and improve feed availability.
He added that demonstration fields for pasture production have been established, while mineral licks, molasses and feed supplements have also been distributed to improve livestock nutrition and weight gain.
Uba Sani said that in pastoral settlements, the government has installed solar-powered boreholes with livestock drinking troughs to guarantee year-round water supply and reduce seasonal migration.
He also revealed that dairy farmers have been supported with milking cans and tricycles to facilitate the transportation of milk to collection centres, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and improving income.
The governor said the livestock initiatives complement broader agricultural reforms under his administration, including the Tallafin Noma (A Koma Gona) initiative which has empowered about 69,000 crop farmers with improved seeds, fertiliser and mechanisation tools.
He added that the state’s Dry and Wet Season Agricultural Empowerment Programmes have provided solar-powered irrigation pumps and other inputs for all-year farming, targeting nearly one million smallholder farmers.
According to him, the government is also improving farm-to-market access through the construction of rural roads across the state to reduce transportation costs and minimise post-harvest losses.
Uba Sani further said Kaduna State is laying the foundation for large-scale agricultural processing and export through the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) and the Agricultural Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC).
“These projects will ensure that Kaduna’s livestock and dairy products meet international standards and gain access to premium markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” he said.
The governor described farmers as the backbone of Kaduna’s rural economy and urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the distributed assets.
“Use these assets wisely and collectively. Maintain them, expand their impact, and let them become the tools of your prosperity,” he advised.
