The Kogi Ministry of Livestock Development, in collaboration with the Kogi Livestock Productivity and Resilience Enhancement Project (L-PRES), has launched the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) to enhance livestock management and productivity in the state.
The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, at the inauguration in Lokoja, said it was a significant step towards transforming Kogi’s livestock sector, enhancing productivity, security, and economic viability.
Dr Bolarin stressed that the initiative underscored Governor Ahmed Ododo’s administration’s commitment to bolstering the livestock sector – a crucial component of food security and rural economic growth.
He described the establishment of the Livestock Ministry as a step in the right direction and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure effective livestock registration.
He assured that the Governor’s efforts to modernise livestock production in Kogi would not be in vain.
‘The NAITS initiative is designed to ensure effective identification, registration, and traceability of all livestock across the country.
‘This technology will not only enhance productivity and data-driven planning but will also checkmate the incessant menace of cattle rustling, livestock theft, and transboundary animal diseases that have, over time, affected the growth of the livestock sub-sector.
‘In Kogi State, livestock farming remains an integral part of rural livelihoods and food security. The implementation of NAITS comes at the right time.
‘With this system, we shall be able to track animal movement, monitor health status, and facilitate trade transparency to create confidence among farmers, herders, and consumers alike,’ Bolarin said.
He commended the Governor’s visionary leadership and his continued support towards livestock transformation.
He also praised the collaboration and partnership with the Kogi L-PRES Coordinating Office and the development partners for their technical and financial support.
The commissioner explained that the sensitisation training workshop was organised to create awareness and enlightenment on livestock production and management.
The representative of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Abdulkareem Durosinolorun, said NAITS is a national programme under the Federal Government’s National Livestock Transformation Plan in collaboration with Megacorp Nigeria Limited.
He lauded the Kogi Government for keying into the programme to boost livestock production in the state.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah, maintained that Governor Ododo’s administration would not relent in prioritising all segments of agricultural activities in the state.
Mr Abdulkabir Otaru, Kogi State Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (Kogi L-PRES), expressed happiness with the NAITS launch in the state, describing it as a major step forward in collective efforts to modernise and develop the livestock value chain in Kogi State and Nigeria at large.
Earlier, the Ministry’s Director of Animal Husbandry Services, Mr Isah Anate Jimoh, said that his department remained committed to ensuring the smooth implementation and sustainability of the programme across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
‘We will continue to work closely with livestock associations, community leaders, and security agencies to ensure that every livestock owner participates in the registration and tagging process,’ he said.