MINISTER of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has announced plans to collaborate with the Nigerian Armed Forces to enhance large-scale livestock production, bolster food security, and support rural economic growth across Nigeria.

The minister made the announcement during a meeting with a visiting delegation from the Defence Holding Company Limited at his office, led by Air Vice Marshal Anthony Ndace, the Group Managing Director of the company, yesterday  in Abuja.

The minister noted that the collaboration will involve non-kinetic interventions to promote food security, reduce insecurity and a  joint technical assessments of military farm formations nationwide.

“We will visit your farm formations, assess what is on ground and work with you to close the gaps.

“Our goal is to ensure proper standards, align with national food security objectives, and enable the armed forces to progressively produce their own food while contributing to national supply,” he said.

Maiha emphasized that this initiative reflects the federal government’s priorities of food sovereignty, job creation, and community stabilization.

He also revealed the ministry’s plans for an integrated grazing reserve model in Wase, Plateau State, which will include infrastructure such as internal road networks, residential settlements, schools, veterinary clinics, and dedicated crop and pasture zones.

Earlier, Air Vice Marshal Ndace, the Group Managing Director of Defence Holding Company Limited, highlighted the organization’s role in coordinating the Armed Forces’ commercial and agricultural ventures, including livestock farming.

He said “We are expanding non-kinetic interventions to promote food security, reduce insecurity, and support community reintegration”.

He also requested technical collaboration from the ministry for the development of about 1,000 hectares of livestock and agricultural facilities in Wase, Plateau State.

According to a statement by the Assistant Chief Executive Officer of information in the ministry, Ogochukwu Igboamalu, the partnership is expected to create a replicable model that integrates security institutions into national agricultural production and rural development frameworks.