The Federal Government has revealed that work will commence next week on the proposed cattle colonies in states that have indicated interest.
Making the disclosure yesterday during a visit to the Agriculture and Veterinary Complex of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said that the National Economic Council on Thursday set up a 10-member committee comprising the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as Chairman and nine governors to facilitate the commencement of the cattle colonies in interested states.
Ogbeh added, “We are happy that we are making progress in agriculture now.
He further said that the Federal Government would engage the services of the National Animal Production Research Institute, NAPRI, to assist in the production of fodder for cattle.
Ogbeh noted that open grazing of cattle was posing serious challenges and it was not too efficient for the cattle.
“It doesn’t allow us to harvest milk; the cows are not well fed. What is going on is almost torture to animals.
“If we can create a new environment for cattle, give them what they need, protect them from rustlers, the herdsmen will quickly discover that they are making far more money than what they are doing now,’’ Ogbe said.