Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has commended the federal government’s commitment to transform Obudu Cattle Ranch into a major hub for livestock and dairy production in Nigeria.
Speaking on Wednesday through the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, Gov. Otu described the initiative as a welcome development.
He highlighted Obudu’s unique climate, rich biodiversity, and vast landmass as key advantages for large-scale livestock farming and dairy production.
Gov. Otu emphasized that global economic shifts provide an opportunity for Nigeria to expand its agricultural exports and attract investments in agrobusiness.
He urged stakeholders to leverage agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, shifting from subsistence farming to large-scale commercial production.
“Nigeria’s economic future depends on our ability to fully harness our agricultural and livestock resources. Large-scale investments in agriculture will enhance food security, create jobs, and boost foreign exchange earnings,” he stated.
Reaffirming Cross River State’s commitment to agricultural expansion, the governor cited the state’s thriving cocoa sector as an example of strategic investment in agriculture.
He called for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors to attract investment and modernize the agricultural value chain.
“We seek increased investments in local communities to ensure that development is sustainable and inclusive. As international funding from institutions like the World Bank begins to support large-scale agricultural transformation, Cross River State must be a priority beneficiary,” he added.
The governor also encouraged youth, women, and traditional leaders to actively engage in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, ensuring that government initiatives have a direct socio-economic impact on rural communities.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, acknowledged Nigeria’s ₦33 trillion livestock industry, noting that it remains vastly underutilized.
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He outlined the federal government’s strategy to modernize the sector, including improved livestock management systems, strengthened disease control measures, and expansion of rural infrastructure to support livestock farming.
Describing Obudu Cattle Ranch as a “low-hanging fruit” for the federal government’s ambitious livestock transformation agenda, the minister reaffirmed that the ranch has the potential to become a major player in Nigeria’s beef and dairy industry.
He also revealed that Nigeria has secured a $2.5 billion investment commitment from Brazilian investors, aimed at accelerating livestock sector innovation and expansion.
Maiha emphasized that the success of these initiatives would require robust partnerships between federal and state governments, traditional rulers, and pastoralist organizations, ensuring that policies translate into tangible benefits for local communities and drive national economic growth.
