Borno State Establishes Cattle Ranches In 3 Senatorial Districts, Gov Zulum First Among Equal In Implementing FGN Livestock Reform – Prof Jega

Borno State Establishes Cattle Ranches In 3 Senatorial Districts, Gov Zulum First Among Equal In Implementing FGN Livestock Reform – Prof Jega

… Gov Zulum recognised as a Brand Ambassador by the Minister of Livestock Development – Hon. Maiha

A collaborative initiative between the Federal Government and Borno State Government has yielded the first set of cattle ranches in Borno State, Nigeria. This is a welcome development in Nigeria where decades of policy procrastination has resulted in agricultural and security crises of epic proportions. With explosion in population size, resultant increase in the volume of sedentary farmers; extinction of the ancient of grazing routes; and suffocation of pastoral nomadism across Nigeria’s rural space, the need for ranches has become long overdue. Ranching is the best way to harness Nigeria’s huge livestock potentials, and secure an eternal solution to farmer-herders conflicts.

The administration of Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, scored set a trail blazer on Saturday 11 January 2025 by being the first in the country to establish a modern cattle ranch to be administered by the State’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (responsiblefor policy, strategy, regulation) and the Livestock Development Agency (responsible for research, extension work and routine management).

Three ranches are being developed in the first instance, and more shall be developed in the subsequent years:

1. Ngarannam community ranch in Mafa local Government Area (completed and commissioned);

2. Rumirgo community ranch in Askira Uba Local Government Area (98% completed).

3. Gubio community ranch in Gubio Local Government Area (95% completed)

Each livestock settlement is designed as an integrated community, characterised by a full complement of human habitation and livestock value chain – military unit, police station, grazing area, pasture conservation space, human hospital, veterinary hospital, water network, road network, school, arbatoir, market, corner shops, livestock extension office, administrative block etc

In each ranch, the residents are provided a “starter pack” including a fully furnished house, a breeding mix of cattle, sheep, goats and fowls, food items, clothing and cash support. Gov Zulum warned beneficiaries to remain committed to the ranching scheme, by taking full advantage of the facility.

By and large, Gov Zulum’s ranching scheme is expected to modernise the livestock value chain; sedentrise animal breeding; reduce farmer-herders conflict; eliminate resource conflict; increase livestock yields for internal consumption and export; and institutionalize knowledge-based, sustainable agricultural and livestock practices

Gov Zulum is a Professor of Agricultural Engineering. Together with his committed team of experienced experts and administrators, Gov Zulum is pursuing a vision of agricultural development and livestock reform with a morbid consistency and scientific precision.

Attached is a video clip of the historic and memorable commissioning of the first ranch at Ngarannam Community of Mafa LGA on Saturday 11 January 2025.