The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the full operationalisation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development by providing adequate funding, infrastructure and administrative autonomy.

In a statement signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Mohd Bello, the association commended President Tinubu for establishing the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee, co-chaired by Professor Attahiru Jega, which led to the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

KACRAN described the establishment of the committee and the ministry as a landmark decision that rekindled hope among millions of pastoralists who, it said, had suffered decades of neglect, marginalisation and inadequate government attention.

The association also praised the appointment of Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development, noting that his nationwide engagements encouraged nearly 20 states to establish their own ministries dedicated to livestock development.

According to KACRAN, the federal government’s initiative raised expectations that Nigeria would reduce its dependence on imported meat, milk and other livestock products, which it said costs the country billions of dollars annually.

Despite the progress made, the association expressed concern that more than a year after its establishment, the Ministry of Livestock Development was yet to function as a fully independent ministry.

“It is disheartening that the ministry is still operating more like a directorate under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security instead of a full-fledged ministry with the autonomy and resources required to deliver on its mandate,” the statement said.

KACRAN argued that fully operationalising the ministry would strengthen food security, improve nutrition, reduce farmer-herder conflicts through better livestock management, create millions of jobs, boost national security and attract local and foreign investments into the livestock value chain.

The association also maintained that a properly funded ministry would help Nigeria cut its annual spending on imported dairy and meat products while promoting value addition in meat, milk, leather and other livestock industries.

To achieve these objectives, KACRAN urged President Tinubu to immediately provide adequate funding for both the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee and the Ministry of Livestock Development.

It also appealed to the President to provide permanent office accommodation for the ministry and ensure that the minister, permanent secretary, directors and other staff operate from a unified headquarters.

The association further called on the federal government to empower the ministry to implement projects capable of transforming the livestock sector and improving the livelihoods of pastoralists across the country.

KACRAN said a fully functional ministry would enable millions of stakeholders in the livestock value chain to contribute more effectively to national food security, economic growth and development.

The association also commended the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) for supporting pastoral communities through the provision of security, water facilities and other social services, urging both organisations to sustain their interventions.