NGO Distributes 170 Cows To Poor Families

A Fulani socio-cultural organisation, Pastoralist Resolve (PARE), has distributed 170 cows to some poor families in Bauchi State.

The President of the organisation, Alhaji Ahmad Joda, said on the occasion at the Galambi Cattle Ranch on Saturday in Bauchi that the gesture was made to empower women.

“We are distributing well bred young cows (heifers) to vulnerable women and poor families selected from the Bauchi, Ganjuwa and Toro Local Government Areas of the state.

“PARE is also providing training and investment funds to the beneficiaries to enable them to engage in viable livestock production.

“The aim is to empower women, reduce poverty and improve the living standards of the cattle breeders,” he said.

Joda said the cows were distributed to 25 community associations and added that more than N620,000 was also given to them for feeding the cows.

He said the organisation had concluded plans to establish two milk processing plants to encourage dairy production in selected communities.

The president said the organisation, in collaboration with the Netherlands-based Oxfam Novib, National Livestock Project, National Agency for Nomadic Education and Bauchi State Ministry of Agriculture, had trained the pastoralists on modern livestock production techniques.

He said the beneficiaries were also trained on alternative income generation, milk processing, animal health and fattening, genetic improvement of breeds, feeds and pasture production.

“ The organisation trained community leaders on peace building and conflict resolution as part of measures to check incessant Fulani/farmers clashes,” he said.

Joda urged the Bauchi State Government to support the organisation in its drive to improve the socio-economic status of Fulani cattle breeders.

In a remark, Gov. Isa Yuguda said his administration had set up six veterinary clinics and introduced a drug revolving scheme to enhance animal health care delivery.

Yuguda, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Tanko Duste, said the government had de-silted eight earth dams located at various grazing reserves across the state.

“The state government has carried out animal vaccination and tsetse fly control exercise in the last three years,” he said.

Yuguda commended PARE for its gesture and urged the beneficiaries to use their new skills to boost livestock production in the state.