Agriculture
40,000 Citizens To Benefit From FG’s Livestock Initiative – Coordinator
The Coordinator of Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES), Taraba State, Mr Hananiah Albert, on Wednesday, said, 40,000 indigenous farmers of Taraba State are to benefit from the Federal Government livestock initiative.
He also announced that 1.43 million Nigerians are to benefit from the Programme, while 30 per cent of beneficiaries are targeted to be women.
Albert disclosed this during the inauguration of the State Steering Committee (SSC), and the State Technical Committee (STC) of L-PRES in Jalingo.
According to the Coordinator, the idea was 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.
He said the initiative will facilitate the provision of manual and motorized boreholes, installation of weigh bridges and loading ramps in livestock markets, and the establishment of an Artificial Insemination (AI) Centre, among other measures.
“1.43 million Nigerians are to benefit from the federal government’s ongoing livestock initiative, with 30 per cent of beneficiaries targeted to be women.
“The deliberate focus on livestock value chains include cattle, sheep, goat, and poultry, due to its advantageous position in the North-East geographical zone.
“40,000 people are to benefit from the initiative. Prospective beneficiaries would range from livestock producers, feed suppliers, equipment dealers and marketers, transporters, processors, input suppliers, and off-takers.
“The initiative is aim at supporting 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 initiative will facilitate the provision of manual and motorized boreholes, installation of weigh bridges and loading ramps in livestock markets, and the establishment of an Artificial Insemination (AI) Centre among other measures”, the project State Coordinator explained.
Meanwhile, Dr Agbu Kefas, Taraba State Governor, pledged the State Government’s support for the committees to ensure a successful implementation of the project.
Governor Kefas, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, said the initiative was a significant step towards fortifying the livestock sector and uplifting communities across Taraba state.
Also, Professor Nicholas Namessan, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, expressed optimism that the project’s potential would help to enhance the livelihoods in both secondary and pastoral communities.
The Commissioner noted that 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.
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FG, Ogun Distribute Inputs To 2,400 Farmers
Federal Government and the Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, distributed farm inputs to farmers as part of effort to address food security challenge.
The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, during the flag-off ceremony of Inputs Redemption Under The National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), in Ogun State, disclosed that beneficiaries of the gesture were primarily rice, maize and cassava farmers across the State.
Ayo-Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for partnering with the government at the centre for the effort in supporting farmers with inputs that would bring about yieldings for local consumption and likely exportation.
She noted that government is supporting rice, cassava and maize farmers with inputs worth N212,000; N189,000 and N186,000 respectively.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, Bolu Owotomo, stated that traditional farmers are critical in food production, hence the need to encourage and support them with inputs that would bring about desired results during harvesting.
Owotomo said: “Let us make good use of this opportunity, so that the success of this phase will make farmers benefit more from the state and federal governments of Nigeria.”
Earlier, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Ajayi, appreciated the present administration for partnering with the federal government for the initiative, adding that the programme is designed to support farmers at the grassroots level in cassava, rice and maize with inputs such as, seeds, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to boost their production and enhance their livelihood.
