EXTRA: Like Kano, Dikko Radda empowers women with goats in Katsina

Dikko Radda, governor of Katsina, has commenced the distribution of 40,000 goats to 3,610 women in the state.

Speaking on Monday during the launch of the goat-rearing initiative at Dan-Nakolo, Daura LGA of the state, Radda said the project was valued at N5.4 billion.

“This moment marks not only a significant milestone in our agricultural journey but also a transformative step toward achieving our ambition of making Katsina state a leading hub for livestock production in the northern region and across our great nation, Nigeria,” Radda said.

“The goat rearing initiative which cost N5.7 billion is designed to empower local farmers, especially women groups, through the ministry of women affairs and community level committees by providing them with the resources, training, and support they need to rear goats successfully.”

The governor said the initiative will support local farmers, especially women, across the 361 wards with four goats each. 

He noted that the project will also provide the women with the resources, training, and support they need for effective livestock breeding.

Radda added that the state will establish a goat farm in Rimi LGA to boost genetic improvement, high milk and manure production, to increase livestock production.

“We will implement training programmes for our people, equipping them with skills necessary to engage in effective breeding practices. This programme will cover essential aspects such as animal nutrition, health management, and sustainable farming techniques,” he said. 

“About 40,000 heads of goats have been earmarked for distribution to successful beneficiaries which were selected purely by the community level committee across the 361 wards of the state.

“Each ward will have 10 women and one large scale farmer. Each beneficiary from the women group will be given four heads of goats, one male and three females, and one large scale farmer will be given 50 heads of goats.

“This year, the government is establishing a goat farm in Rimi local government of the Katsina senatorial zone for the purpose of genetic improvement, high milk and manure.”

In January, the Kano government distributed 7,158 red goats to 2,386 women in the state “to reduce poverty and promote economic self-sufficiency”. 

Abba Yusuf, governor of the state, said the distribution marked the launch of the second phase of the women empowerment initiative under the Livestock Fattening Programme of the Kano Agro-Pastoral Development Project.

The governor added that the state spent N2.3 billion on the initiative.