The Kaduna State government has commissioned the Livestock Development Project (L-PRES) office to increase livestock production and reduce farmers-herders conflict in the state.
Murtala Dabo, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, said this on Thursday during the inauguration of the office of L-PRES in Kaduna.
He said the inauguration of the office was part of the state government’s commitment to the health and welfare of the livestock population in line with global best practices.
He said the goal of the project was to improve livestock productivity, resilience, and commercialization of the value chain, as well as increase the state’s capacity to respond to emergencies in the livestock industry.
Dabo also said the project aimed at tackling the frequent clashes between farmers and herdsmen by focusing on conflict management towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.
He said the state was successful in widespread vaccination of livestock against transboundary diseases, hence the need to key into the project.
He said the livestock market was a huge business, particularly for meat and dairy products, that could generate revenue and create employment for youths in the state.
In his opening remark, Dr Shittu Hashim, State Project Coordinator L-PRES, said the project was a six-year initiative of the World Bank and the state government to improve livestock productivity.
He said the office was part of the state government’s contribution to fast-track the implementation of the project.
Hashim said the project was designed to address the challenges associated with livestock production, including lack of access to grazing areas, water drinking points, rustling, and transboundary diseases.
He said the state would key into the cattle, poultry, sheep, and goat value chain.
