Commentary: As Anambra Revives Interest In Breeding Local Cows

Written By: Ejike Anyaduba

One of the selling points of Governor Willie Obiano today is his ideas. Since he became on board, he has fostered new ideas that set Anambra apart as a leading state among other states in Nigeria. He has also revived old ideas, including customs and institutions that make the state unique in its own right.

When, some years back, he talked about reviving interest in the breeding of the local cow (Efi-Igbo) in commercial quantity, no one doubted him or the workability of the project. That was because of his track record – his passion for great ideas and the willingness to put them into practice. Three years down the line, the project did not just take off, but it is charting a new course in breeding cattle in ranches. For the Governor, reviving the traditional breed of cattle, which was going extinct, was a way of preserving Igbo cultural heritage.

To make this a reality, his government made provisions for facilities to be granted to farmers, manufacturers, traders, etcetera through the Anambra Small Business Agency (ASBA). A loan of N1billion was procured for the Agency to be disbursed to various categories of clients.

With appreciable interest from government, the project has now assumed the status of a wholesale venture. The cattle is being crossbred with stocks from Europe, South America and Nigeria in order to make it bigger, yield more milk and be more competitive in the wider market. The farm has plenty of crossbred cattle. Cattle from Europe have plenty of milk but not as much flesh as cattle from Argentina. So cattle from Argentina and Europe were crossbred to produce species with plenty milk and plenty of flesh.

The idea of breeding this unique brand of cattle is for two reasons. One is to revive a dying culture. There is very little doubt that the stock is almost going extinct and where it still exists is carried on at a subsistent level. The other is the business aspect of the project. Apart from augmenting the protein needs of the people, it will also help to jack up the revenue profile of the state.

This can be confirmed with the level of patronage the business is already attracting. Chief Ugochukwu Okparaeke, the Chairman of Eagle Farms, confirmed this during the launch of this year’s farming season at the Ekwueme square, Awka. Chief Okparaeke, who brought a sample cow to showcase, stated that he started the business with only 2 cows, but can boast of over 300 today.

The Efi-Igbo farmer, fondly called Eze Anumanu (King of Animals), was full of gratitude to the Obiano government for the assistance given to them in the farming business. He said that without the encouragement most of them would not cope with the challenges associated with the business.

This is not the first time the Obiano government is bringing up new ideas in the of the state. Not long after he assumed office, his government introduced the idea of Akulueuno. To make this work, he tackled, within months, the undesirable persistent influence of criminality in the state. He followed this up by bringing Ndigbo within and in the diaspora to Anambra state to mark a symbolic burial for the fallen heroes of the war. He also invited to the state many of the pop stars of the seventies whose music helped enlivened the post war spirit of Ndigbo and recognized them. He did so for members of the old Rangers.

All these do not detract from real governance where he has made some mark in virtually every sector of the economy like agriculture, education, infrastructure, health, skill acquisition and empowerment, service delivery among others. To the credit of his administration, a lot of jobs have been created since 2014. Most of the youth empowerment programs of the administration have taken the unemployed out of the street. The administration has also revived interest in keeping waifs, beggars, and others off the street by taking care of them at a home at Nteje. The good thing about this is that it has augured for a cleaner and healthier environment.