Kebbi state governor, Abubakar Bagudu says animal husbandry holds enormous potential for West Africa.
The governor disclosed this on Saturday, in Birnin Kebbi when he declared open the High Level Dialogue on Pastoralism.
The event was organized as part of the activities lined up to round up the West Africa Integrated and Secure Pastoralism Project, Regional Sahel Pastoralism Support Project of the Africa Union Border Program.
Bagudu also said that the federal government has set up a committee that is currently auditing grazing reserves across Nigeria.
“This is with the view to finding the way of fully developing the sub sector.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has also directed us to collaborate with Benin Republic on rice production.
“We will now quickly push to ensure that Pastoralism is also included in the above direction.
“I am optimistic that Buhari will extend any support we need in order to achieve these laudable objectives for Nigeria, Niger and Benin Republics, as well as West Africa and Africa, in general,” he said.
Bagudu further noted that animal husbandry is a very important resource for west Africa that should be fully explored and exploited.
He said that the enormous potentials of the subsector must be fully harnessed.
“I am glad that the event has underscored these budding potentials.
“These resources must be supported so as to put them to proper use, in order to get the desired results.
“The sub sector in West Africa needs more funding and there are handsome returns on such investments.”
Bagudu described pastoralists as very hard working but lamented their unfortunate victimization due to the criminal activities of few of them.
He particularly chided the media trials of pastoralists.
“They are made to face media trials, yet they are very committed and hard working.
“I am elated with the training of media personnel as part of efforts to remedy the obnoxious trend.”
Bagudu stated that his administration was paying special attention to Fulani women to help them to modernize their trades and their children to get sound education.
“They are now being assisted to make yoghurt and have many other value additions in this direction,” he added.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Commissioner of Animal Health and Fisheries, Aminu Dandiga appreciated Bagudu’s support for the success of the workshop and thanked the participants from Benin, Niger and Nigeria and other stakeholders.
He said at the end of the deliberations from the three countries, the recommendations arrived at would be submitted to the governor.
The Governor of Dosso, Niger Republic, Assoumana Ahmadou, the Governor of Alibori, Benin Republic, Ky-Samah Bello, the ECOWAS Commissioner in Charge of Agriculture and Water Resources, Sekou Sangare and the Deputy Executive Secretary, Permanent Interstate Committee on the Control of Drought in the Sahel, Dr. Paul Ouedraogo, all delivered separate presentation in French.
Dr. Adeniyi Adedoyin who is the Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development assured the gathering of the readiness of the Ministry to provide adequate support to improve pastoral activities between Nigeria and its neighbors.
He advised Kebbi government to come out with a policy and framework on pastoralism as envisaged in the conference.
The former governor of Kebbi State, Saidu Dakingari called on the participants to make recommendations towards resolving problems associated with pastoralism in view of increase in population of livestock and growing number of people as well.
The representative of the National Boundary Commission, Hauwa Ismail described the workshop as educative that could address some of the problems facing the sector in West Africa.
According to her, the Commission would continue to promote peaceful co-existence, Security on the borders and economic growth among countries in Africa.
