By Umar Akilu Majeri
The Jigawa State Government has earmarked over ₦17 billion for livestock development in its 2026 budget, as part of efforts to boost animal production, improve livelihoods and curb farmer–herder conflicts in the state.
The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Prof. Abdurrahman Salim, disclosed this while defending the ministry’s 2026 budget proposal before the Jigawa State House Committee on Agriculture in Dutse.
According to him, the ministry’s budget estimate for 2026 stands at ₦17.175 billion, which will be used to implement a wide range of projects aimed at strengthening the livestock sector across the state.
Salim said a key component of the plan is the establishment of ranches across Jigawa to accommodate herders and other animal rearers.
“Our budget size is ₦17.175 billion, focusing on livestock development. We are looking at establishing ranches in the state to house Fulani herders and other animal rearers,” he said.
He explained that the proposed ranches would be fully equipped with quality animal feed, schools, health facilities, veterinary clinics, markets, electricity and water supply, noting that the initiative would help reduce recurring clashes between farmers and herders.
The commissioner also revealed plans to expand veterinary services across the state through the establishment of 27 veterinary clinics in all local government areas, alongside seven zonal veterinary clinics and a central veterinary referral centre.
“We intend to renovate existing veterinary centres, improve service quality and establish 27 veterinary clinics, seven zonal clinics and one major referral veterinary clinic to serve the entire state,” Salim said.
He added that the ministry would also focus on capacity building, particularly at the middle and lower levels of animal health workers.
“We have competent veterinary doctors, but at the middle and lower cadre, there is a need for training and retraining to improve service delivery,” he noted.
Salim further disclosed that the government plans to revive three livestock breeding centres located in Gumel, Birniwa and Kazaure local government areas, adding that rehabilitation work had already commenced in some of the centres.
He expressed optimism that the programme would improve household nutrition and income levels across the state.
“By the end of 2026, it is our hope that all homes in Jigawa will have livestock. This will help address malnutrition, reduce poverty within families and cushion the impact of low crop prices faced by farmers nationwide,” he said.
The commissioner said the ministry would begin by establishing three pilot ranches, with sub-ranches linked to dairy and pastoral production.
He also revealed plans to invest in meat processing infrastructure, including slaughter slabs and slaughterhouses under constituency projects valued at ₦355 million.
“We are proposing zonal abattoirs and collaborating with national organisations to establish a state-of-the-art abattoir that will support meat processing and enable the export of livestock products, including dairy products, to the Middle East,” Salim added.
