The Ondo State Livestock Productivity Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project on Tuesday trained 100 livestock farmers on fodder production to increase productivity and enhance commercialization in the state.
Mr. Olufemi Adeogun, L-PRES State Project Coordinator (SPC), disclosed this at a two-day capacity building programme organized by the project in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area.
The theme was “Capacity Building on Fodder Production and Value Addition, including Sustainable Hydroponic Fodder Production and Crop Residue Treatment and Utilization for Sustainable Livestock Production across the State.”
Adeogun said the 100 trainees, selected from the three senatorial districts as lead farmers to retrain others, would undergo training over two days per district.
He explained that the training aligns with L-PRES’s broader objectives to enhance livestock productivity, strengthen resilience to climate shocks, promote value addition, and improve rural incomes.
“This training focuses on improving feed availability and quality through fodder establishment, conservation techniques such as hay and silage production, and safe crop residue treatment.
“This intervention is both strategic and timely for the development of the livestock sector in Ondo State.
“Our livestock farmers continue to face persistent challenges, particularly seasonal feed shortages, rising costs of commercial feed, under-utilisation of crop residues, and increasing climate variability.
“These constraints significantly affect productivity, profitability, and resilience across our agropastoral communities,” Adeogun said.
He urged the trainees to serve as knowledge multipliers, adopt the demonstrated techniques, and establish practical examples in their communities.
“These are proven, low-cost technologies that farmers can adopt immediately to stabilize feed supply throughout the year.
“L-PRES will continue to support monitoring, extension linkages, and scaling of successful practices to transform livestock production in Ondo State,” he said.
Also speaking, Engr. Leye Akinola, Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry — represented by Mrs. Foluke Daramola, Permanent Secretary of the ministry — commended L-PRES for supporting livestock farmers in ensuring reliable feed supply year-round.
Akinola, who declared the programme open, said the training would address challenges facing livestock farmers and help increase the quantity and quality of livestock feed in the state.
“This training will help reduce seasonal feed shortages, poor feed quality, and under-utilisation of crop residues that continue to limit livestock productivity and farmers’ incomes.
“As a ministry, we are committed to strengthening extension services, promoting farmer group organization, and facilitating access to inputs and markets.
“We will continue to work with partners to scale successful practices across the state,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs. Mercy Williams, State Chairman, Pig Farmers Association, and Prof. Josiah Babatola, State Vice Chairman, Sheep and Goat Farmers Association, applauded L-PRES for the training.
They said the initiative would go a long way in addressing challenges faced by livestock farmers and increasing production in the state.
The trainees included poultry, pig, sheep, and goat farmers.
