Christopher Nathaniel, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Adamawa State, has pledged to revamp agriculture through livestock and rice production, if elected.

Mr Nathaniel made the pledge during an interactive session with journalists on Saturday in Yola, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

He identified agriculture as a major tool for reducing poverty, creating economic opportunities and improving residents’ livelihoods.

He said livestock contributed about 40 per cent to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), but insecurity and poor investment were limiting its potential.

Mr Nathaniel said cattle rustling and farmer-herder clashes had made several grazing areas unsafe, forcing traders to transport cattle outside the state for slaughter and processing.

He said major livestock markets in Mubi, Ngurore, Cigari and Ganye local government areas supplied cattle to markets and slaughterhouses in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

“Without security, the state will not be able to optimise the livestock opportunities available to it.

“My administration, if elected, would construct modern abattoirs, cold-storage facilities and livestock processing centres to retain more economic value from cattle production,” he said.

He said local slaughtering and processing would create opportunities in meat processing, dairy production, leather manufacturing, hides and skins, and organic fertiliser production.

“Development of the cattle market translates into industrialisation, while the livestock value chain could generate additional revenue and create employment,” he said.

On rice production, Mr Nathaniel said entrepreneurs were trooping to Tingno in Lamurde and Gurin in Fufore LGAs to purchase locally produced rice for processing and distribution.

He pledged to establish a major rice processing company to create employment opportunities for youths and expand the agricultural value chain if elected.

Mr Nathaniel also pledged to improve healthcare delivery, including providing free delivery services for women in public healthcare facilities across the state.

He said his administration would promote converting commercial vehicles and tricycles to compressed natural gas (CNG) to reduce transportation costs.

According to him, CNG, costing about N650 per litre, could cover roughly the same 28-kilometre distance as petrol, which costs about N1,500 per litre, reducing transportation costs for commuters.

(NAN)