KACRAN urges Tinubu to fully operationalise Livestock Ministry
KACRAN Urges President Tinubu for Full Operationalization of Livestock Ministry
The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to expedite the full operationalization of the Ministry of Livestock Development. Currently, the ministry is functioning at a limited capacity, resembling a directorate within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
In a press release issued by KACRAN’s National President, Hon. Khalil Mohd Bello, the association highlighted concerns over inadequate funding and the absence of a complete operational structure. The statement expressed disappointment that over a year after its establishment, the ministry continues to lack the autonomy and respect associated with a full-fledged governmental body.
KACRAN asserted that a fully functional Ministry of Livestock Development is essential for tackling some of Nigeria’s most critical economic and security issues. The association emphasized that the livestock sector has significant potential to enhance food security and nutrition by supplying protein, generating employment, and providing organic fertilizer, despite enduring decades of neglect.
The group noted that this ongoing neglect has precipitated unnecessary livestock migration from northern to southern Nigeria, leading to farmland destruction and conflicts between farmers and herders. According to KACRAN, a well-equipped ministry could help mitigate such clashes.
Furthermore, the association argued that the ministry would play a pivotal role in job creation and national security, potentially reducing Nigeria’s substantial annual spending on imported meat, milk, and dairy products through local production efforts.
KACRAN also pointed to the potential for attracting foreign investment in the meat, milk, and leather processing sectors, which could bolster Nigeria’s GDP and promote self-sufficiency.
In addition, the association recognized the contributions of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in providing essential services such as security and water points to pastoralists, urging these organizations to continue their beneficial work.
