The National President, Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Khalil Mohammed Bello, has urged President Bola Tinubu to expedite the livestock development plans in the North.

Bello, in a statementin Damaturu, said, “I appeal to President Tinubu to intervene in providing an urgent support to develop the Ministry of Livestock Development (MoLD).”He lamented that eight months after the establishment of the Ministry by the President, its office renovation is yet to commence.

The KACRAN President said that the delayed takeoff of the Ministry, has impeded the implementation of critical policies and programmes in the livestock sector of the economy.

Additionally, he said the President’s urgent intervention for the takeoff of MoLD is a crucial step in addressing decades of neglecting the livestock sector in the 19 states.

Citing Yobe and Borno states in the Northeast, he stated: “We have a livestock population of 2.7 million cattle, 2.1 million sheep and three million goats in Yobe State alone,” adding that Borno State has the highest livestock population of 11.7 million in the country. In spite of the high population of livestock, Bello noted: “The lack of progress in the livestock sector, has prevented the ministry from fulfilling its role in food security and national economic growth and development.”

Besides the immediate takeoff of the ministry, Bello urged the Federal Government to significantly invest in the development of livestock to ensure food security and sustainable development of the economy.

“This will reduce our reliance on the high costs of imported milk and other livestock products,” he said. The association also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing Prof. MuhammaduAttahiruJega, as the Special Adviser on Livestock Development.