Participants were given capacities in hydroponic preparation as alternative to growing pasture in seemingly difficult situations.

Maiduguri, Nigeria - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) conducted a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) workshop on fodder production for government extension workers and FAO implementing partners in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Taraba states. The workshop was held from 19 to 24 August 2024 in Maiduguri, Borno State, which aims to enhance participants' capacity in alternative fodder production techniques. Funded by the Government of Norway, this initiative by FAO equips farmers with the skills to produce their own feed and pastures, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience within the livestock sector.

Pasture development, a key focus of the training, is essential for livestock production as it significantly impacts animal health, productivity, and the sustainability of farming systems. It also plays a crucial role in reducing competition for land and resources, thereby helping to mitigate farmer-herder conflicts. It also addresses the persistent challenge of livestock feed shortages in the region.

The week-long workshop was the second of three planned ToT sessions designed to equip 22 participants (18 males and 4 females) from the states with the necessary skills and knowledge in alternative feed and fodder production. The first group of trainers have started actively training farmers and herders across the region. Over a period of three years, a total of 40 participants, including 12 women, will receive training. These trainers will subsequently transfer the knowledge and expertise to 825 farmers and herders, who will also receive pasture seeds from FAO, including grass and legume seeds, as well as the necessary inputs for hay and silage making and hydroponic production.

Lead trainer Aishatu Girgiri, from the Department of Animal Science (Ruminant Nutrition/Pasture & Range Science) at the University of Maiduguri, emphasized the importance of transitioning from traditional methods of animal feed production. "Given Nigeria's rapidly growing population, the conventional approach is no longer sustainable. We are advocating for the deliberate cultivation of animal feed using diverse, livestock-appropriate seeds. Farmers should not have to rely on agricultural by-products after food crops are harvested. Scaling up local feed production is essential to closing the gap in livestock nutrition," she stated.

Bukar Ali Usman, Director General of the Borno State Livestock Management Agency, highlighted the significance of the training in his remarks at the workshop. He praised the initiative as a critical step toward ensuring sustainable livestock feed, which will help prevent farmer-herder conflicts. "FAO's efforts are both timely and commendable. This initiative aligns perfectly with the commitment of Northeast states to provide adequate resources for livestock. Additionally, it opens opportunities for farmers to engage in pasture production, a billion-naira industry with immense potential," he noted.

FAO Nigeria's National Livestock Specialist, Abdulrahman Mohammed, further underscored the importance of feed availability in the livestock sector. "Challenges related to livestock can be effectively addressed if feed availability is assured. The added-value techniques learned in this training will significantly enhance livestock productivity," he stated.

The participants learned how to utilize land that is otherwise deemed unsuitable for crop production, by growing sown pasture and grasses, turned into an alternative feed option that is cost-effective, sustainable, and climate resilient. Additionally, the training has empowered participants to transfer this knowledge to farmers, thereby enhancing livestock productivity and resilience across the region.

One of the participants, Stephanie Wudiri, expressed her gratitude for being part of the programme. "I have learned how to prepare hydroponics and improve the marketing of our animal feed products. I am eager to share this knowledge with local farmers when I return to my community" she said.

The training concluded with a 3-day fieldwork session at the Lake Chad Research Institute and the University of Maiduguri, during which participants learned the art and science of making multi-nutrient block and mineral block, value addition to crop resides, hay and silage making and explored the significant environmental benefits of sustainable livestock practices. These include improving soil health, sequestering carbon, and conserving biodiversity.

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