1.34m Nigerians to benefit from FG livestock initiative
BY OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS
The Federal Government has announced that 1.34 million Nigerians will benefit from its Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) program.
The Taraba State Coordinator of L-PRES, Hananiah Albert, disclosed this yesterday during the inauguration of the Taraba State Steering Committee (SSC) and the State Technical Committee (STC) of L-PRES in Jalingo, the state capital.
Albert noted that about 30 percent of the beneficiaries would be women, and approximately 40,000 people in Taraba are set to benefit from the project.
She emphasized the state’s deliberate focus on livestock value chains, and its advantageous position in the rearing of cattle, sheep, goats, and birds in the North-East geographical zone.
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Albert stated that the prospective beneficiaries would include livestock farmers, feed suppliers, equipment dealers, marketers, transporters, processors, input suppliers, and off-takers.
He added that the project aims to support livestock farmers and sector operators with extension services, animal health services, and investments in infrastructure such as the construction and rehabilitation of livestock markets, abattoirs, and slaughter slabs.
The State Coordinator further disclosed that the initiative will facilitate the provision of manual and motorized boreholes, installation of weighbridges and loading ramps in livestock markets, and the establishment of an Artificial Insemination (AI) Centre, among other measures.
In a remark, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Nicholas Namessan, affirmed the project’s potential to enhance livelihoods in secondary and pastoral communities.
“The strategic injections of inputs and support services, championed by the World Bank, are expected to drive positive change in the state’s livestock sector,” he said.
The State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, represented by his Deputy, Alh. Aminu Abdullahi Alkali, pledged robust support for the two committees, ensuring their effective functioning in implementing the L-PRES Project.
“This initiative signifies a significant step towards fortifying the livestock sector and uplifting communities across Taraba State,” he added.
