The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has announced a partnership with the Nigerian Armed Forces to expand livestock production.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, in Abuja while receiving a delegation from Defence Holding Company Limited.

Maiha mentioned that the collaboration will begin with joint technical assessments of military farm formations across the country. 

The assessments will evaluate existing livestock operations, identify capacity gaps and determine the type of government support required to improve productivity.

He stated that it will help the Armed Forces progressively produce their own food while contributing to national supply. 

He added that the initiative aligns with federal priorities on food sovereignty, job creation and community stabilisation.

“We will visit your farm formations, assess what is on ground and work with you to close the gaps,” Maiha said. 

“Our goal is to ensure proper standards, align with national food security objectives and enable the Armed Forces to produce their own food.”

The minister also revealed that the ministry has developed an integrated grazing reserve model with thepilot project located in Wase, Plateau State.

According to him, the model includes internal road networks, residential settlements, schools, veterinary clinics, dams and designated crop and pasture production areas. 

The structure is designed to support modern ranching systems and organised livestock management.

The approach forms part of wider efforts to reduce open grazing conflicts and promote structured livestock development.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of Defence Holding Company Limited, Air Vice Marshal Anthony Ndace, stated that the organisation oversees commercial and agricultural ventures of the Armed Forces.

He explained that the Armed Forces are expanding non-kinetic interventions such as livestock farming to strengthen food security, reduce insecurity and support community reintegration.

Ndace requested technical collaboration from the ministry for the development of about 1,000 hectares of livestock and agricultural facilities in Wase, Plateau State.

The proposed partnership is expected to create a model that integrates security institutions into national agricultural production systems. 

It may also contribute to livestock value chain development, rural employment and improved protein supply.

Stakeholders say the success of the initiative will depend on effective coordination, clear land-use planning and sustained technical support.

Source: Federal Ministry of Livestock Development