LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT MINISTER, MAIHA LAUDS AIYEDATIWA’S RANCHING INITIATIVE
The Federal Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Mukhtar Maiha has commended the Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa for setting aside 8,000 hectares of land for cattle ranches in the state.
The minister, during a visit to the Governor’s Office in Akure on Thursday, said the move would go a long way in checking the menace of herdsmen, strengthen security of lives and property as well as boost job and wealth creation in the state.
Maiha, who described moving of cattle around by herdsmen as conservative, said confining cattle in ranches would not only curb insicent fear of farmers to go to their farms for fear of possible attacks but it would also attract investors in the chain values of livestock farming such as abattoirs, leather work and organic fertilizer among others.
He decried a situation where consumers would have to wait for animals to be transported from over 120km away before they can access theit nutrient needs, saying the ranching would adequately address the problem.
‘Our hope is to stop transporting livestock from over 120km to the south west which is not a sustainable economic model or sustainable business model.’ He said.
‘So it is good to have ranches here in Ondo State to serve abattoirs, to serve families and for enhanced food supply and for job and wealth creation.’
‘Also I do know that poultry is the most commercially advanced aspect of livestock farming in the state and we are doing everything possible, under the leadership of Mr President, to make sure the challenges facing the livestock farming such as availability of vaccine, availability of feeds and problems of processing as are takkled.’ The minister added.
In his remarks, Governor Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by the state Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya said the state government had invested so much in security so that farmer could have conducive environment.
He noted the importance of livestock farming but said there were better ways of keeping livestock without constituting nuisance to the people.
This according to him, informed his administration decision to set aside 8 hectares of land in the northern senatorial district of the state for modern ranches with inproved security architecture.
While applauding the collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the governor assured the minister of his government’s readiness play his parts in the partnership arrangement.
‘We have invested so much in security. If not for the security architecture of the state, there are some areas where, by now, farmers would no longer be able to access their farms.
‘Any project that will be beneficial to our people, our government is ready to play its part. We want to assure you of that.’ He added.
Sina Adeyeye,
Director Information,
Office of the HOS
5/11/2026
