Following a working visit to the Kawu Grazing Reserve in Bwari Area Council of Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has directed the ministry’s management to prepare a comprehensive plan for the construction of 19 additional earth dams in the 2026 budget for the grazing reserve.
In a statement released by Benjamin Bem Goong, Director of Information and Public Relations, and made available to AgroNigeria, the minister reiterated the federal government’s commitment to developing sustainable infrastructure to support livestock production and reduce conflicts between herders and farmers.
The minister disclosed that 19 more earth dams are being proposed to cater for over 35,000 animals as well as support irrigation farming, particularly pasture cultivation during the dry season.
Part of the statement reads: “At the moment, kawu Grazing Reserve has only one earth dam servicing the entire community.
“The Minister is projecting 19 more earth dams to service over thirty-five thousand animals as well as irrigation agriculture, particularly pasture cultivation during the dry season.
According to him, once water, pasture, and security are adequately provided, herders would willingly relocate from city centres to designated reserves without the need for persuasion.
He further assured that the ministry would work closely with counterparts in the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture, and relevant security agencies to achieve this goal.
Recall that AgroNigeria had earlier reported on Maiha’s inspection visit to the Kawu Grazing Reserve, where he pledged to address critical challenges facing pastoralists, including water and inadequate infrastructural facilities.
