FG to transform Obudu cattle ranch into livestock, dairy hub

The federal government has announced plans to transform Obudu Cattle Ranch into a major hub for livestock and dairy production.

Idi Maiha, minister of livestock development, spoke on Wednesday during a visit to the ranch.

The ranch is located adjacent to the renowned Obudu Mountain Resort In Cross River state.

Maiha said Nigeria is blessed with a vast potential livestock industry worth N33 trillion, which he believes is significantly underutilised. 

He also said the investment aims to spur innovation and growth in the sector by modernising livestock management systems, improving disease control measures, and expanding rural infrastructure to support livestock farming.

Describing Obudu Cattle Ranch as a “low-hanging fruit” for the federal government’s ambitious livestock transformation agenda, Maiha reaffirmed its potential to become a leading player in Nigeria’s beef and dairy industry.

The minister said the success of the initiatives would depend on robust partnerships between federal and state governments, traditional rulers, and pastoralist organisations “to ensure policies translate into tangible benefits for local communities and drive national economic growth”.

In his remarks, Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River, represented by Peter Odey, his deputy, lauded the federal government’s commitment to revitalising the ranch. 

He described the initiative as a unique opportunity for economic transformation in the state and reiterated his administration’s dedication to collaborating with federal authorities and private investors to maximise the state’s agricultural potential.

Otu highlighted Obudu’s favourable climate, rich biodiversity, and vast landmass as key advantages for large-scale livestock farming and dairy production. 

He said global economic shifts present an opportunity for Nigeria to expand its agricultural exports and attract agribusiness investments.

The governor further urged stakeholders to leverage agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, transitioning from subsistence farming to large-scale commercial production.

“Nigeria’s economic future depends on our ability to fully harness our agricultural and livestock resources,” he said.

“Large-scale investments in agriculture will enhance food security, create jobs, and boost foreign exchange earnings.”

The federal government’s plan follows a $2.5 billion investment commitment from Brazilian livestock investors.

On November 22, 2024, the federal government signed a letter of intent with the JBS S.A, a top global meat processing company, for investment in Nigeria’s $2.5 billion livestock sector.