By Mercy Onyenweli
As Edo Ministry of Livestock development commences preparation to resuscitate Igarra and Ubiaja ranching centers, the hon. Commissioner, Engr. Prof. Ikponwonsa Omorodion has revealed that speedy measures are being put in place to ensure that the ranches are launched in the first quarter of 2026.
Hon. Omorodion who stated this in his office while responding to Newsmen in his office in Benin City stressed that the ministry has embarked on profiling livestock farmers in the state to be able to plan effectively for types of livestock that are involved and the right locations for new ranches.
The ministry which was created on the 4th of October , 2025 by Governor Monday Okpebholo and appointed Engr. Prof. Ikponwonsa Omorodion as the pioneer Commissioner is set on the pedal to reorganize livestock farming in the state.
According to Prof. Omorodion, database of livestock farmers would enable the ministry to know the right locations to site additional ranches, offer technical assistance and provide necessary support.
“We want our decision to be data driven, that is why we have commenced profiling of our livestock farmers. Infact the Governor is committed to this mission of seeing Edo becoming the hub of livestock farming in South South Nigeria.”
“The hon. Minister for livestock development ministry is billed to visit Edo State in the first quarter of 2026 and the facilities we hope to visit are the ranches. There are investors that are ready to invest in the business, that is why am dispatching my teams to go and carry out preliminary work on the sites”.
“I am ensuring that I set up solid structures for this ministry. Once we have been able to identify these locations, these moves will help us to restrict our animals from this normadic practices and also help to reduce herders farmers crisis.”
He however called on livestock farmers who have not been able to profile their farms with the ministry to do so immediately.
Speaking further, he also revealed that staff of the ministry are being trained to train meat traders on how to stop exposing meats to germs, bacteria and dust while selling them in the market.
According to him, Edo meat sellers are going to embrace the modern practice of selling meat without exposing them to bacteria that are harmful to the metabolic organs of human bodies.
“70% of the diseases we contact are from meat that are exposed in the market. So we are equipping our vertinary department to ensure that they are up to their responsibilities” he added.
He also added that plans are being made to regulate and manage food poison in the state as committee to champion the cause is being put together to be inaugurated any moment from now.