Jigawa invests N4.5bn on three cattle ranches

To reduce farmers-herders clashes and strengthen profitable livestock production, the Jigawa State Government has committed N4.5 billion to establish three modern cattle ranches.

The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Prof. Salim Abdulrahman, disclosed this in an interview in Dutse according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The project will cover the three senatorial districts, with facilities intended to support pastoralist households, improve cattle management and provide more organised livestock settlements.

Abdulrahman said the N4.5 billion project forms part of the N17.2 billion earmarked for livestock development in Jigawa State’s 2026 fiscal year.

He identified the proposed locations as Sankara Grazing Reserve in Ringim, Kashamai Grazing Reserve in Kafin Hausa and Kukar Mekiya in Kiyawa.

Each ranch will cover 510 hectares of land and accommodate 3,000 households.

Planned facilities include schools, healthcare centres, veterinary clinics, markets, electricity and water supply.

The ranches will also have pasture and water points to improve access to animal feed and essential resources.

The Commissioner said organised livestock settlements would help reduce frequent clashes between farmers and herders by improving cattle management.

The government is also expanding veterinary healthcare services as part of the wider livestock development programme. Its plans include veterinary clinics across all 27 local government areas, seven zonal veterinary clinics and a central referral veterinary centre.

Jigawa’s investment is part of a wider push to modernise livestock production and address recurring conflicts between farmers and herders.