‘Livestock Farming, Panacea To Deforestation’

A forestry expert,
Mr. Fred Nwokocha, has advocated aggressive livestock farming, to check the depletion of forests in the country.
Nwokocha, a retired director in the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture who made the call yesterday in Port Harcourt while speaking to our correspondent, said livestock farming does not require large expanse of land in contrast to the conventional farming.
He explained that those engaged in goat rearing, poultry and the like do not need much space to operate.
According to him, droppings from animals also help in making the land fertile even as they help regenerate plant life and undergrowth with enrichment.
While he decried unemployment among the youths, he however urged them to be self employed by engaging in livestock farming.
He said one of the easiest ways to earn a living was for the youth to explore other avenues for self-help rather than waiting for white collar jobs that were not forthcoming.
On the challenges that may arise in the starting of a livestock business venture, he advised that people should seek for soft loans to enable them take off.
He further called on governments especially at the local government level to explore areas of agriculture that they have comparative advantage  with a view to creating employment in their localities.