Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has launched a statewide livestock vaccination campaign aimed at improving animal health, boosting agricultural productivity, and protecting the livelihoods of livestock farmers across the state.

The exercise, which covers all 361 political wards in Katsina State, is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the livestock sector and address diseases that have continued to affect cattle, sheep, goats, and other animals.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Governor Radda described livestock as a critical component of the state’s economy, noting that thousands of households depend on animal husbandry for income, food security, and economic sustenance.

According to the governor, the vaccination programme is designed to reduce livestock mortality, improve productivity, and enhance the quality of animal products available to consumers.

“This initiative demonstrates our administration’s commitment to supporting livestock farmers and ensuring the health and productivity of animals across Katsina State,” he said.

Radda explained that the exercise would be carried out simultaneously in all wards to ensure broad coverage and effective disease prevention. He added that veterinary personnel and other relevant officials had been mobilised to facilitate the smooth implementation of the programme.

The governor stressed that animal health remains vital to the growth of the agricultural sector, warning that disease outbreaks can result in significant economic losses for farmers and negatively impact food production.

He further noted that the programme aligns with the state government’s strategy to modernise agriculture, strengthen food security, and create greater economic opportunities for rural communities.

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development said the vaccination campaign targets major livestock diseases that have historically affected animal populations and reduced productivity in various parts of the state.

They explained that preventive vaccination remains one of the most effective methods of controlling disease outbreaks and safeguarding livestock investments.

The state government also urged livestock owners to cooperate with veterinary teams and ensure that their animals are presented for vaccination to maximise the benefits of the programme.

Stakeholders in the livestock sector welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that would help improve animal health and reduce losses suffered by farmers.

Many pastoralists and livestock traders expressed optimism that the exercise would enhance productivity, improve market value, and strengthen confidence within the livestock value chain.

The vaccination campaign forms part of a series of agricultural interventions introduced by the Radda administration to support farmers, improve rural livelihoods, and stimulate economic growth through increased agricultural output.

Authorities said monitoring teams would be deployed across the state to ensure effective implementation and assess the impact of the programme as the exercise progresses.

With livestock remaining a major contributor to Katsina’s agricultural economy, the government expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute significantly to disease control, food security, and sustainable development within the sector.