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The Katsina State government is embarking on a comprehensive overhaul of its livestock sector, aiming to establish the state as a leading national and international hub for meat and dairy products.

Key initiatives under Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration include the distribution of over 40,000 goats and a strategic plan to upgrade local breeds through modern techniques.

In a recent press briefing, Yusuf Suleiman Jibia, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Livestock Development, detailed the administration’s ambitious vision for economic diversification and food security.

A cornerstone of this strategy is a massive rural empowerment program that has already distributed over 40,000 goats across the state’s 361 wards, with a focus on supporting women and youth.

The initiative operates as a sustainable revolving scheme.

Beneficiaries are given time to breed the animals before returning a specified number to the government for redistribution to a new set of households. “We will give them time to raise and multiply the goats they have received,” Jibia explained. “Once they return the agreed number, we will pass them on to others. This ensures that the benefit keeps reaching more households across the state.”

To elevate the quality of its livestock, the state is also planning to introduce artificial insemination using exotic goat breeds known for their higher productivity. This genetic improvement program is central to moving the state beyond subsistence farming and into large-scale commercial production.

“Our target is not just to meet local demand, but to position Katsina to supply meat and dairy products across Nigeria and even to markets outside the country,” Jibia stated.

To support these ambitions, the administration has simultaneously strengthened the sector’s foundational infrastructure. It has reactivated grazing reserves to improve access to pasture and water while expanding animal healthcare outreach through mobile veterinary clinics and mass vaccination campaigns.

Furthermore, the government is tackling seasonal challenges by providing subsidized livestock feed and establishing fodder banks to ensure year-round animal nutrition.
The government’s strategy also incorporates robust governance and conflict resolution measures.

By meticulously mapping grazing reserves and re-demarcating historical stock routes, alongside promoting community dialogue, the administration is actively working to mitigate herder-farmer conflicts.

These local efforts are reinforced by strategic partnerships with development agencies like the FAO and IFAD, ensuring alignment with the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).

Jibia reaffirmed the administration’s long-term vision, concluding, “We are building a livestock economy that will benefit present and future generations. This is about food security, job creation, and economic diversification.”

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