Jigawa State Launches Mobile Veterinary Clinics to Boost Livestock Health
September 30th, 2024
By Abdulhamid sani
Jigawa, Nigeria – Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to improve the health and well-being of livestock across the state. The launch of mobile veterinary clinics marks a significant step towards providing free veterinary services to all 27 local government areas, particularly benefiting rural and nomadic communities.
Aligned with his administration’s 12-point agenda for enhancing the quality of life of Jigawa residents, Governor Namadi emphasized the program’s crucial role in supporting the state’s agricultural economy, especially for the Fulani herders whose livelihoods are deeply intertwined with livestock.
The ambitious project involves equipping each local government area with five fully equipped motorcycles, transforming them into mobile veterinary clinics. This initiative will result in a total fleet of 535 mobile clinics across the state, ensuring widespread accessibility to veterinary care.
To further strengthen the initiative, the state government will provide free veterinary services, including medications, to livestock owners. Veterinary staff will be deployed to remote communities to offer their expertise at no cost, ensuring the health of cattle and supporting the sustainable livelihoods of Fulani herders.
Governor Namadi also announced complementary measures to address the needs of nomadic communities. These include the renovation of nomadic schools, the employment of 235 nomadic teachers, and the appointment of 10 Fulani advisors to the governor’s office.
In addition, the state government is working on a program to purchase milk from Fulani herders at fair prices, providing them with a stable income and improving their standard of living.
Governor Namadi underscored the importance of fostering harmony between farmers and herders by safeguarding cattle routes, enhancing grazing reserves, and ensuring access to water through new watering points. This initiative aims to create a conducive environment for both agriculture and pastoralism to thrive.
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