C’River Targets N100bn Llivestock Economy by 2033, Govt
The Cross River Government says it is targeting a livestock economy worth more than N100 billion under its proposed seven-year Livestock Development Roadmap, 2027–2033.
Mr Liyel Imoukhuede, Special Adviser to Gov. Bassey Otu on Livestock Development disclosed this to newsmen in an interview Calabar on Friday.
He said the roadmap would focus on productivity, animal health, infrastructure, value addition, investment, market access, job creation, and food security.
The government said the roadmap was designed to transform livestock production from largely subsistence activity into a structured, commercial, and investment-driven sector of the state’s economy.
According to him, the plan covers cattle, dairy, poultry, pigs, sheep and goats, aquaculture, feed production, processing, cold-chain logistics, meat markets and livestock-related services.
“We are moving beyond simply keeping animals to building an integrated livestock economy,” he said.
The Special Adviser said the state was working with the federal government and development partners through programmes such as the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES).
He said Cross River’s strategic location, agricultural land, international border, and existing agricultural assets could support its emergence as a major livestock production and export hub.
The governor’s aide said the administration was also seeking to attract private investment into production, processing, logistics, and other segments of the livestock value chain.
He said the immediate phase of the roadmap would focus on farmer enumeration, stakeholder engagement, livestock assessment, veterinary strengthening, land and ranching planning, investment mobilisation, and completion of the development roadmap.
The medium-term phase, he said, would focus on expanding production, infrastructure, processing, jobs, and markets.
He said the ultimate objective was to create a livestock economy capable of generating wealth, food, employment, and investment for the state.
“Our ambition is to build a N100 billion-plus livestock economy over the seven-year 2027–2033 roadmap period, with Cross River becoming a significant production, processing, and trade hub,” he said.
Source: NAN
