Katsina State Boosts Livestock Sector with 40,000 Goat Distribution, New Breed Plans — Yusuf Suleiman Jibia
Ibrahim musa kallah
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Katsina State on Livestock Development, Yusuf Suleiman Jibia, has highlighted major strides in the livestock sector under Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration, with far-reaching plans to turn the state into a national and international livestock hub.
Addressing journalists in ladanawa Katsina, state ,Jibia revealed that the state government has successfully distributed over 40,000 head of goats across the 361 wards of the state as part of a large-scale rural empowerment programme.
“This is a strategic effort to support women and youth in livestock rearing, improve livelihoods, and promote food security,” he said.
Jibia also revealed that the goat rearing initiative is being implemented as a revolving scheme. Beneficiaries will be given time to breed and multiply the goats, after which they are expected to return an agreed number to the government for redistribution to new beneficiaries.
“We will give them time to raise and multiply the goats they have received. 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,” he stated.
This approach is designed to maximize impact, ensure sustainability, and create a culture of shared prosperity within rural communities.
Katsina to Introduce Improved Goat Breeds
In a move to enhance livestock productivity, Jibia announced that the state government is planning to upgrade the local breeds of indigenous goat through the use of artificial insemination using exotic breeds of goats of higher potentials for more productivity in the state.
“We want Katsina to become one of the best states in Nigeria when it comes to the supply of high-quality goats, milk, and meat,” he said.
“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.”
Additional achievements in the livestock sector include:
Reactivation of Grazing Reserves: Improved access to pasture, water, and veterinary services for herders.
Mobile Veterinary Clinics & Mass Vaccination: Expanded animal healthcare outreach to rural communities.
Dry Season Feed Support: Distribution of subsidized livestock feed and establishment of fodder banks.
Youth & Women Empowerment: Livestock business training and starter kits for thousands of rural residents.
Conflict Mitigation Measures: Mapping of grazing reserves, retracing/re-demarcation of stock routes, and community dialogue to reduce herder-farmer conflicts.
Collaboration with Development Agencies: Alignment with the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) and support from partners like FAO and IFAD.
Looking Ahead
Jibia reaffirmed the administration’s long-term commitment to transforming Katsina into a livestock production and export powerhouse.
“We are building a livestock economy that will benefit present and future generations. This is about food security, job creation, and economic diversification,” he concluded.
