The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has empowered 100 women and youths in Adamawa State with livestock starter assets and inputs as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to promote inclusive participation, enterprise development and sustainable livelihoods in the livestock sector.
Speaking at the empowerment programme in Adamawa State, the Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the initiative was designed to bring more women and young people into the livestock value chain and equip them with the resources needed to establish and grow sustainable livestock enterprises.
Maiha said each of the 100 beneficiaries received either a heifer or a young bull, alongside starter inputs comprising bags of concentrate feed, mineral salt licks and dewormers.
According to him, the intervention is part of the Federal Government’s livestock transformation agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a focus on engaging young people in productive ventures and creating opportunities for them to become small- and medium-scale livestock producers.
The Minister stressed that the intervention would go beyond the initial distribution of livestock, noting that all beneficiaries had been properly documented, while their locations and registration details were captured to facilitate effective monitoring, extension support and access to animal health services.
He explained that continuous follow-up would ensure the animals were properly managed, adequately protected and allowed to attain reproductive age rather than being sold prematurely.
Maiha further disclosed that the Ministry plans to introduce artificial insemination for the beneficiary animals, particularly the heifers, to improve their genetic quality, reproductive performance and overall productivity.
He said the intervention would support various livestock enterprises, including cattle rearing, fattening and dairy production, while providing beneficiaries with opportunities to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
The Minister also announced that the programme would promote the concept of “Passing the Gift,” under which offspring produced by beneficiary animals would subsequently be transferred to other members of the community.
He said the approach would extend the benefits of the intervention, increase community participation and create a sustainable cycle of empowerment.
Maiha further explained that the programme would establish an ecosystem around livestock production by encouraging young people to venture into commercial pasture cultivation.
According to him, this would enable livestock owners to purchase pasture from young pasture farmers, thereby creating additional business opportunities while reducing overdependence on open grazing.
The Minister disclosed that the Adamawa intervention represents the first tranche of a programme that would be replicated in other parts of the country. He noted that a similar intervention had already been undertaken in Jigawa State, with plans to extend the initiative to Jos and other locations.
He said the ultimate objective was to develop the beneficiaries into viable livestock entrepreneurs capable of contributing to food security, economic growth and the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.
A total of 100 beneficiaries, comprising 50 females and 50 males, benefited from the empowerment programme.
In his welcome remarks, the Adamawa State Coordinator, Dr. Hassan W. Danbaki, who was represented by Mr. Sunday, Senior Animal Health and Husbandry Technology, welcomed the Minister, government officials, participants, beneficiaries and other guests to the programme.
He said the empowerment programme was a Federal Government initiative implemented through the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Department of Livestock Extension to provide women and youths with livestock start-up assets and the necessary inputs to establish sustainable enterprises.
He expressed appreciation to the Minister for his presence and support and invited him to deliver his remarks and flag off the distribution of the livestock and accompanying inputs.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mohammed Ibrahim expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, saying the intervention had provided beneficiaries with an opportunity to own cattle and improve their economic well-being.
Another beneficiary, Muhammad Mudi Bogirado, described the intervention as a significant opportunity to address the challenges facing young people in the Northeast.
He assured that the beneficiaries would put the livestock to productive use through cattle rearing and other related activities to improve their livelihoods.
Also speaking, Mrs. Naliba Iframu Jp, a female beneficiary, expressed excitement over the intervention, saying livestock rearing had always been her aspiration. She said the support had provided her with an opportunity to turn her interest in animal husbandry into a productive enterprise that would benefit her family and community.
Among the dignitaries at the event were the Adamawa State Commissioner for Livestock and Agricultural Development, Hon. Usman H. Lamorde; National Coordinator, L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar; technical officials from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development; officials of EL-PRES at the national and Adamawa State levels; beneficiaries, participants and members of the press.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development reaffirmed its commitment to expanding opportunities for women and youths to participate meaningfully in the livestock value chain while providing beneficiaries with sustained extension, animal health and technical support to ensure the success and sustainability of the programme.
