Jigawa’s Cattle Industry Contributes Over 10% to State GDP – Governor Namadi

The cattle industry contributes over 10% of Jigawa State’s GDP, according to Governor Malam Umar Namadi.

Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Consultative Workshop on Livestock Reforms, held in Dutse in collaboration with the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee (PLRIC), the governor emphasized the economic importance of livestock farming in the state.

Governor Namadi noted that livestock and animal husbandry are not only a way of life but also a major source of income for many families in Jigawa State. Given the sector’s vast potential, he highlighted its role in:

• Boosting economic growth
• Enhancing food and nutrition security
• Improving living standards for millions of people in Jigawa and Nigeria

“The sector is considered to be very critical and vital to the development of our state’s economy and the attainment of our vision of Greater Jigawa,” he stated.

Governor Namadi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to livestock development through the Jigawa Livestock Development Plan, which includes:

• Jigawa Ruminant Livestock Intervention Program
• Jigawa Livestock Breed Improvement Program
• Jigawa Pasture Development Program
• Jigawa Dairy Development Program
• Protection of Grazing Reserves
• Revitalization of Existing Livestock Improvement & Breeding Centers

Dr. Saifullahi Umar, the Governor’s Technical Advisor on Agriculture and Co-Chair of the Jigawa Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee (JLRIC), emphasized that the state’s cattle population alone is an untapped resource worth over N4.3 trillion.

With proper management, he projected that Jigawa’s livestock sector could generate over N650 billion annually for the local economy.

Professor Attahiru Jega, Co-Chair of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee (PLRIC), praised the Jigawa State Government for forming a 17-member committee to drive livestock reforms.