The Kaduna State government says it will spend N15 billion on the construction of household milk farms in Damau, Anchau Local Government Area.
The State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai said the project would be executed in collaboration with Arla foods.
He was speaking at a meeting with members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Kaduna.
Governor El-Rufai said that the money would be spent on the programme, expected to cover 1,000 herdsmen.
”The initiative is to proffer solutions to the multifaceted problems associated with nomadic pastoralists,” the Governor stated.
World-class grazing
He further stated that the goal was to develop a World-class grazing reserve to enable government to centralise activities of herdsmen in one community.
According to him, the project would reduce importation of milk product, ensure self-sufficiency and food security in milk and beef.
Empowering people
Governor El-Rufai noted that government is for all and there is the need to empower the people to achieve the best in their endeavours.
“The programme would stop herdsmen from roaming about, create employment and stop the importation of meat and milk.
“It will cost the government N15 billion in the first phase. We had to borrow N10.5bn out of the money from the Central Bank as government guaranteed the repayment of the money,” the Governor explained.
He said government would be spending N15 million per herdsman.
“As part of the N15 million to be spent on each of the herdsmen, we will be looking for those who will have their own cattle for the first time”.
“Each herder is expected to have between 12-15 cattle and will have at least N1.5 million as working capital…There will also be a two bedroom farm house of about N2.5 million that each of the herdsmen will own,” he stressed.
Governor El-Rufai assured the people that the farm would have road network, hospital, electricity supply, market, schools and all other social amenities.
His Senior Adviser, Jimmi Lawal represented him at the meeting.
The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Haruna Usman assured government of the association’s commitment for proper utilisation of the programme.
Usman said ”the gesture was a promise fulfilled by the State government in proving the breeders with modern method of rearing animals.”
He appreciates the efforts of the State government, adding that the Nigerian government should have carried out the programme.
Source: VON
