The Cross River government says it is targeting a livestock economy valued at above N100 billion under its proposed seven-year livestock development roadmap.

Liyel Imoukhuede, the special adviser to the governor on livestock development, disclosed this in an interview in Calabar on Friday.

Mr Imoukhuede said the roadmap would focus on productivity, animal health, infrastructure, value addition, investment, market access, job creation, and food security.

The governor’s aide said the roadmap was designed to transform livestock production from a largely subsistence activity into a structured, commercial, and investment-driven sector.

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.

He said Cross River was working with the federal government and development partners through programmes such as the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES).

He said the state’s strategic location, agricultural land, international border, and existing agricultural assets could support its emergence as a major livestock production and export hub.

Mr Imoukhuede said the current administration in Cross River was also attracting private investment in 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, and livestock assessment.

He listed other first-phase areas as veterinary strengthening, land and ranching planning, investment mobilisation, and completion of the development roadmap.

“The medium-term phase will focus on expanding production, infrastructure, processing, jobs, and markets. The ultimate objective is to create a livestock economy capable of generating wealth, food, employment, and investment for the state,” he said.

(NAN)