Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Onyoti Adigo Nyikec, has called for the introduction of taxes on cattle and other livestock to help generate revenue for the government.
Minister Onyoti made the proposal during the hearing of the 2025 to 2026 national budget last week.
He said the country’s estimated thirty-six million head of cattle could become a major source of income if properly regulated and taxed.
He said despite the large livestock population, the country is not benefiting adequately from the sector, even though the government continues to provide services such as vaccination, treatment, and security.
“But we must ask ourselves what we are benefiting from our livestock. We have thirty-six million livestock, yet we are not benefiting adequately. These livestock should also be taxed so the government can generate revenue,” he said.
“The government provides services such as vaccination, treatment, and security, but it is not benefiting from them, except at the local government level, where collections do not even reach the state,” he added.
He stressed the need to move livestock keeping beyond cultural and prestige practices and turn it into a fully commercial sector that can contribute meaningfully to the national economy.
“We need to work hard to improve the livestock sector. It should not be kept only for marriages or prestige. We must commercialize it to strengthen our economy,” he demanded.
Minister Onyoti said that reforming the livestock sector could boost domestic revenue and reduce the country’s dependence on external support.
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