NIGERIA: Kwara State Government Initiates Study Tour For Livestock Farmers

By Balogun Arisekola Azeez, Ilorin Kwara State

The Kwara State Government has initiated a training tour and capacity building programme for Livestock farmers across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state to study, learn, and implement improved sustainable and productive livestock value-chain.

The state Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Ayobola Thomas, said the training tour is meant to broaden the farmers’ knowledge on ranching and boost productivity across the livestock sector.

Mrs Thomas further explained that the study and coaching tour is designed to standardize and deepen the application of good ranching practices at their various farms.

She also told participants that the Ministry is focused on building a modern and commercially viable livestock industry that supports food security and economic diversification.

She also advised the participants to transfer the knowledge gained in the tour to improve their farms for an overall benefits.and development.

The Director, Livestock Services of the Ministry, Alhaji Muhammed Umar Ahmed, had in his remarks, explained that the programme supports the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy which places farmers at the core efforts to modernize production systems, strengthen animal welfare practices and raise national output.

The Managing Director, Milkin Barn Agroserv, Tony Jibunoh, urged the participants to embrace new innovation and modern technologies to improve their farms’ efficiency, boost yield and ensure food security.

Cross section of the farmers in their separate remarks described the tour as an eye-opener, praising the state government for facilitate the study tour.

They further explained that the tour had enriched their knowledge on ranching and exposed them to modern technologies to improve their farms’ efficiency.

The participants received training on good animals husbandry practices, animal welfare, pasture, feed management, waste management, breeding and reproduction among.

Among Government Officials and Private Individuals that accompanied the Commissioner on the tour include; the Special Adviser, Strategy, Hon Atiku Abdulsalam, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed, the Director, Livestock Services, Alhaji Muhammad Umar Ahmed, the Chief Veterinarian Officer, Dr Idiat Aminu, Adun-Green Partners, C

EO Mercy Sweet Honey.