The Yobe State government has entered into a five-year memorandum of understanding valued at $2 billion to enhance livestock development within its primary cattle markets.
This information came to light during a stakeholders’ meeting and signing ceremony conducted in the state on Wednesday.
Governor Mai Buni, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the state, Baba Mallam-Wali, elaborated that cattle rearing holds significant cultural and traditional importance among the indigenous population of the state.
While livestock rearing serves as a primary occupation in Yobe State and boasts one of West Africa’s largest cattle markets, the sector remains largely underdeveloped due to insufficient investment across the entire livestock value chain.
To capitalize on the potential of indigenous livestock breeds for enhanced production and advancement, Mallam-Wali stated that the state government intends to collaborate with the Trans-Sahara Consortium.
“Although cattle rearing has been one of the major traditions of the state, it however has not been properly harnessed. We therefore recognise the need to modernise the system through investment to meet the need the food security demand and economic growth of the state,” he said.
The five-year memorandum of understanding aims to facilitate the production and exportation of beef and milk from exotic cattle breeds.
Following the signing of the documents, the Secretary to the Government of the state emphasized the state’s commitment to substantial investment in cattle rearing to enhance revenue generation and employment opportunities.
This initiative follows the recent establishment of the Nazari grazing reserve in the state.