FG’s programme will revolutionise livestock production, end farmers-herders clashes — Bolarin

The Kogi State Coordinator of the National Livestock Transformation Project,  Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, has said

the programme was designed by the federal government to revolutionise livestock production in the country and end farmers-herders clashes.

Bolarin, a former State Commissioner for Agriculture said on Thursday in Lokoja at the conclusion of a two- lday virtual training for members of the steering committee and implementation officers.

The training, he explained, would prepare the state livestock transformation officers for the task of delivering on the job, stressing that they have been equipped with modern livestock management.

“We are still practicing livestock the way it was 100 years ago. Other countries have long embraced ranching system. It is sad that Nigeria is lagging behind countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, even Sudan in modern livestock farming, ” he said.

On the benefits of the project to the state, Bolarin said it would put an end to the persistent mistrust between the herders-farmers and the communities over water and land.

Free range grazing by herders, he pointed out would become a thing of the past as model ranches, provided with basic social facilities would be set up to make life easier for those involved in livestock business across the state.

The project will also empower those in the rural communities to go into livestock production or embrace fodder crop production like Soya Beans as well as cultivation of grasses which would be processed into pellets as feeds for animals, “Bolarin said.

“It will translate into huge economic benefits for the farmers.”

On his part, the alternate Chairman of the state steering committee, Chief Idris Asiru gave the commitment of the state government to the success of the project.

Ashiru, who is also the state Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, noted that the project would open up opportunities for the state and its people.

The Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture to President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr. Andrew Kwasari, lauded the efforts of Kogi Gov. Yahaya Bello toward the success of the project.