The federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kiyasa Farm Limited, on cattle breeders Improvement Project, and Cikasoro Farm Limited, on Livestock Market.
Signing the MoU on behalf of the government in his office recently, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said for over 50 years, Nigeria has never paid enough attention to improve livestock production in the country which was the major problem Nigeria is facing for over two years which generated to Farmers/Fulani-Herders clash.
He expressed delighted that Kiyasa Farm Ltd has started planning ahead on cattle breeders improvement programme in Sokoto and Zamfara states to compliment the present administration’s efforts in livestock value chain.
The minister assured Kiyasa Farm that the Ministry would give the farm Bio-Gas production machine and federal government support and assistance whenever the need arises.
Chief Ogbeh commended the vision and foresight of Cikasoro Livestock Market Ltd for the establishment of livestock market at Tunga Maje, Abuja to supply wholesome meat to Abuja and its environs, adding that this will surely minimize the transportation of cattle in trucks from the North to the Southern parts of the country.
The Minister assured Cikasoro Livestock Market Ltd. that government will compliment its efforts by the provision of infrastructures (roads, water and electricity) in the market and offer ideas and technical support to ensure the market is of international standard.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director Kiyasa Farm Ltd, Alh. Mohammed Sambo Bashar said that Kiyasa Farm Ltd is engaging on Cattle Breeding Improvement Programme in Sokoto and Zamfara states with the aim of promoting modern beef and dairy industry in the two states. He further said that the farm is creating necessary incentives for nomadic herders towards government efforts by providing modern facilities for training and production in new ranch initiative as transition to modern cattle farming.
Alh. Bashar said that they are here to sign the Memorandum of Understanding and to solicit for support and collaboration from the Ministry for the successful implementation of its programmes.
The Chief Executive Officer, Cikasoro Livestock Market Ltd, Ambassador Abubakar Cika disclosed that the objective of establishing the Livestock Market was to supply wholesome meat to Abuja and its environ. He further said that it will also minimize the transportation of cattle and other livestock from the North to the Southern part of the country.
Amb. Abubakar further disclosed that have secured enough land from FCTA with Certificate of Occupancy and also imported some machinery from Turkey, adding that civil work has already commenced at the site. He further explained that Cikasoro Livestock Market Ltd is seeking for non-binding MoU with FMARD for exchange of ideas and technical support.
