Minister Maiha Commends Katsina’s Livestock Reforms, Back Modern Meat Processing
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to transforming agriculture and livestock development as a major strategy for tackling poverty, creating jobs, and driving economic growth across the state and the North-West region.
Governor Radda made this known on Saturday while speaking at the North-West Agriculture and Livestock Stakeholders' Symposium held in Katsina. The event brought together key stakeholders in agriculture, livestock production, transportation, food trade, security, and development sectors from across the region.
The governor described the symposium as timely, noting that agriculture and livestock remain critical sectors for food security, employment generation, revenue creation, and national development.
According to him, improving agricultural productivity remains one of the most effective ways of reducing poverty and strengthening the economy in the North-West.
"If we must effectively tackle poverty in the North-West, agricultural productivity must be significantly improved. We must continue to strengthen collaboration among farmers, traders, transporters, processors, security agencies, and government institutions to unlock the full potential of the sector," Radda said.
The governor acknowledged the challenges facing the sector, including insecurity, poor transportation systems, weak market infrastructure, climate-related challenges, and limited access to finance.
He stated that the Katsina State Government was already taking deliberate steps to address some of these challenges through market upgrades, improved agricultural support programmes, livestock development initiatives, and partnerships with private investors and development agencies.
Radda disclosed that his administration had introduced a ward-based agricultural empowerment programme covering all the 361 political wards in the state to ensure that women and small-scale farmers benefit directly from government interventions.
He added that the state had established a Goat Breeding Centre at Larinawa, which would soon be expanded into a comprehensive livestock development hub, while seven zonal veterinary clinics had also been established to improve animal healthcare services.
The governor further revealed that the state was at an advanced stage of constructing a modern slaughterhouse aimed at improving meat processing standards and hygiene.
"We are committed to ending the practice of exporting livestock in raw form. Our focus is to process meat locally, create jobs for our young people, strengthen the local economy, and improve the earnings of livestock farmers through value addition," he said.
Radda also reiterated the state's commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, development partners, investors, and other stakeholders to modernise agricultural production, improve livestock management systems, and strengthen food supply chains.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development for its efforts toward repositioning Nigeria's livestock sector and stressed that peaceful coexistence among farmers, livestock traders, and host communities remains vital for sustainable agricultural growth.
Earlier, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, praised the Katsina State Government for its ongoing interventions in agriculture and livestock development, describing them as strategic measures capable of transforming the sector.
Maiha said the future of livestock development lies in processing animals close to production centres and transporting packaged meat through efficient cold-chain systems rather than moving live animals over long distances.
"The establishment of modern abattoirs and meat processing facilities will create jobs, increase revenue generation, and stimulate growth across several related industries," the minister said.
He also advocated the transformation of the Mai'adua International Livestock Market into a modern and digitally driven livestock exchange hub capable of attracting local and international investments.
The minister expressed concern over the impact of multiple security checkpoints on livestock transportation and called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to improve efficiency within the livestock value chain.
In his welcome address, Professor Ahmed Bakori Mohammad, Katsina State Commissioner of Livestock Development, explained that the Ministry had already commenced sensitisation tours across the 34 local government areas to mobilise beneficiaries and ensure grassroots ownership of the goat rearing empowerment.
Professor Bakori said, “Extension officers and veterinary personnel would be deployed to work closely with the cooperatives, while quarterly review meetings would be held to address challenges in real time.”
The Commissioner added that the state government had secured partnerships with microfinance institutions and private agribusiness firms to guarantee access to credit and ready markets for beneficiaries after the starter phase.
“Our goal is not just to distribute goats, but to create entrepreneurs who can compete in local and regional markets,” Bakori stated.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria, Alhaji Kabiru Dabai, urged relevant authorities and stakeholders to work together to remove obstacles affecting the movement of livestock and agricultural commodities across the country.
The symposium, themed "Enhancing Road Safety in Livestock Transportation and Addressing Blockages on National Highways," served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss practical solutions aimed at improving food security, strengthening agricultural value chains, and promoting economic development across the North-West region.
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State
20 June, 2026
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