Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has expressed strong support for the Federal Government’s plans to transform Obudu Cattle Ranch into a major hub for livestock and dairy production. During a courtesy visit by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, Otu highlighted Obudu’s favorable climate, rich biodiversity, and vast landmass as key advantages for large-scale farming and dairy production.
The Federal Government’s strategy to modernize the livestock sector includes the ambitious plan to revitalize Obudu Cattle Ranch. Maiha noted that Nigeria’s N33 trillion livestock industry remains underutilized, but the transformation of Obudu Ranch could play a pivotal role in the nation’s beef and dairy industry. The minister also revealed a $2.5 billion investment commitment from Brazilian investors aimed at advancing the sector.
Governor Otu emphasized that this transformation presents an exciting opportunity for economic growth in Cross River State, focusing on agriculture as a key driver of long-term development. He expressed his administration’s commitment to partnering with the federal government and private investors to unlock the state’s agricultural potential, particularly in livestock farming.
The governor called for a shift from subsistence farming to large-scale commercial production and highlighted that Nigeria’s economic future relies heavily on maximizing agricultural and livestock resources. He also encouraged increased collaboration between the public and private sectors to modernize agriculture, citing the state’s successful cocoa sector as an example.
Otu also called for greater engagement from youths, women, and traditional leaders in the agricultural transformation to ensure that government initiatives have a direct socio-economic impact on rural communities.
