The Federal Government will establish modern ranches in Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Lagos and three other states as part of efforts to transform Nigeria’s livestock industry and strengthen food security, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) has disclosed.
Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District and chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriations, made this known on Tuesday during the second edition of his farmers’ empowerment programme held at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion in Ilaro, Ogun State.
The senator said the ranches form part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Agriculture and Food Security, aimed at modernising livestock production and boosting the nation’s agricultural output.
According to him, the Tinubu administration has taken the bold step of creating a full-fledged Ministry of Livestock Development to tackle longstanding challenges in the sector, with N12 billion already earmarked for its operations.
“The Tinubu Administration is working towards a holistic development of the livestock sector of agriculture and has taken the initiative of establishing a full-fledged Ministry of Livestock in Nigeria to address the challenges of livestock production and boost the production of various species of livestock nationwide. A total sum of N12 billion is budgeted for the ministry and ranches will be established in seven states, including Lagos, Ogun and Oyo,” he said.
Adeola noted that the initiative would improve livestock productivity, create jobs, enhance food security and reduce conflicts associated with open grazing.
He added that the livestock development programme complements other agricultural interventions of the Federal Government, including the procurement of 2,000 tractors from the United States for farmers, the declaration of a state of emergency on food security, and the allocation of over N350 billion for irrigation projects through River Basin Development Authorities to support all-year-round farming.
The lawmaker also commended Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for aligning with the Federal Government’s agricultural agenda through the provision of improved seedlings, fertilisers, free farmland for young farmers and the release of N700 million for agricultural inputs and infrastructure.
He praised the establishment of the Ogun State Farmers Information System and the Asero Farmers’ Market, describing them as strategic initiatives that would position the state as a major agricultural hub and export gateway through the state’s Agro Cargo Airport.
Speaking on his intervention programme, Adeola announced the empowerment of 2,557 farmers across Ogun State with tractors, haulage tricycles, power tillers, sprayers, fertilisers, improved seeds and seedlings, pesticides and other farm implements.
He also disclosed that each beneficiary received a N100,000 cash grant, amounting to N255.7 million, to support their farming activities and improve productivity.
The senator expressed confidence that sustained investments by both the Federal Government and Ogun State Government in agriculture and livestock development would enhance food production, reduce poverty and drive economic diversification across the country.
