Kaduna and Niger state governments pledge to sustain FAO model ranches
Abuja - The pledges made by the governments of Kaduna and Niger states to sustain the model ranches developed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in two selected reserves in the states, have assured beneficiary communities of enhanced socio-economic growth and a positive shift in income generation.
FAO, via its Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) with the government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development had implemented the pilot demonstration of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) in Kaduna and Niger states. The objective was to encourage the adoption of good practices in livestock production and sustainable value chain development, and the utilisation of available resources to improve livestock production.
During a recent media visit, the Kaduna state Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Husseini explained that the state government has provided the enabling environment and is prepared to do more to ensure the sustainability of the initiative. He further highlighted that the beneficiary communities have keyed in and already enjoying the benefits of the project.
“Indeed, the government is encouraging the private sector to participate in its economic development initiatives, this provides a great opportunity for them and to ensure effective sustenance of the project, the government would open its doors to the private sector to invest there”, Husseini stated.
In Niger state, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Dr Jonathan Wasa who was represented by the Director of Livestock Dr Baba Ibrahim said the training of pastoralists, farmers and other actors along the livestock value chain is of immense benefit to the state. “Communities in the Sheyi grazing reserve have been capacitated to ensure they take ownership of the project and take over the infrastructure in the three hectares allocated for the pilot”.
“They have received training in hay making, alternative feed, pasture development. Farmers, pastoralists, marketers, transporters and all involved in the value chain have been trained, some in milk production and processing as well as dairy improvement” Ibrahim explained
He said though the farming communities had at the inception expressed apprehension that their land may be taken from them, they are now at ease with the project, having realised that it is meant to safeguard their livelihoods. The reactions have changed as the available opportunities become more glaring. Some of the communities are already producing the Napier grass for sale. “This would definitely make sustenance very easy”.
Larai Yusuf, a mother of five, resident in Sheyi community attended the training where she and other were exposed to, to the production of alternative feeds for livestock, the cultivation and processing of grass (Napier). “My husband and myself started this like a joke, but today we are reaping the benefits. We really appreciate this gesture, we process and sale for profit”, she testified.
Halira Umar a pastoralist in Damau reserve in Kaduna state said, the movement from place to place throughout the year in search of water and feed for their animals is the tradition for all herdsmen despite the exposure to conflicts and other challenges. But the initiative to keep the animals in one place, where water and grass is available is safer and more enduring, as their children now have the opportunity to go to school. Moreover, the training on how to process milk in a more hygienic manner into yoghurt and oil, adds to the benefits, she said.
The initiative was designed to emulate an evolutionary process of livestock development, through the utilisation of modern technologies to enhance the values chains, taking into cognisance the traditional processes of animal breeding and milk production and processing.
At the Damau grazing reserve in Kaduna the nine hectares of land allocated for the model ranch are equipped with the necessary infrastructure such as solar powered boreholes to support the already existing water sources in the demarcated area. This water source enables pasture development, where different varieties of forage are planted. There is also a functional drip irrigation installed within a fenced portion of land to keep away straying livestock from eating up the seedlings and young plants.
To round up the project, the 200 beneficiaries drawn from community-based animal health workers, pastoralists and farmers in the two states, 20 percent of whom are women, were trained on safety measures and artificial insemination.
For more details Comtact:
Emmanuel Kihaule David Tsokar Opeyemi Olagunju
Communications Specialist Communications Specialist Communications/Reporting Officer
FAO Nigeria FAO Nigeria FAO Nigeria – North East Sub Office