Makurdi—The Benue State Government has unveiled plans to conduct a livestock census aimed at gathering comprehensive data on animals and their owners across the state.
Dr. Aondoaka Asambe, the Principal Special Assistant to the State Governor on Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Disease Control, disclosed this on Monday during an inspection of abattoirs and livestock markets in Makurdi.
Dr. Asambe emphasized that the census is a strategic move to address the persistent clashes between farmers and herders, as well as curb other criminal activities in the livestock sector.
“Conducting a livestock census offers numerous benefits,” he stated. “It will help control the recurrent clashes between farmers and herders in the state and curb cattle rustling. Once the census is completed, animals will be tagged and easily traceable to their owners. This tagging system will also extend to animals at abattoirs, significantly reducing crime within the industry.”
The initiative aligns with the state government’s broader agenda to revitalize the livestock industry and boost its contribution to the local economy.
Dr. Asambe also outlined plans to register livestock farmers, hatcheries, and feed mills to meet local consumption demands in the short term. Over the medium and long term, the government aims to revive livestock establishments and enhance production through improved breeds.
However, he expressed concerns about the state of abattoirs in Makurdi, noting that none of them met the minimum standards for slaughterhouses. He highlighted issues such as inadequate access to potable water, poor road infrastructure, and unhygienic conditions as significant challenges.
Responding to these concerns, Mr. Austin Ugwu, Chairman of the Meat Shop Owners Association, Makurdi branch, urged the government to create an enabling environment for businesses in the livestock industry to thrive.
The planned census is expected to provide the data necessary for informed policymaking and sustainable development within Benue State’s livestock sector.