News in brief:
-Â The World Bank-backed Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) aims to empower around 30,000 farmers in Kogi State with a $500 million fund.
– Project lead, Olufemi Bolarin, says it will focus on commercialising livestock business, increasing profits, and addressing farmer-herder conflicts by establishing ranches and a farmer profiling initiative.
About 30,000 farmers in Kogi State are potential beneficiaries of a $500 million World Bank-backed fund, a nationwide initiative intended to empower livestock farmers.
The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) kicks off with implementation in the North Central state. A news report adds that the project will benefit 9,000 women.
Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, Project Coordinator for L-PRES in Kogi, emphasised that the project’s goal is to improve livestock production by commercialising the business, ultimately increasing profits for farmers, during a two-day workshop for project implementation unit members.
Also, he mentioned that the state played its parts by providing an enabling environment to start the project. He added that the plan is to eventually reach 50,000 farmers, of which 30% would be women.
The Kogi State L-PRES coordinator further clarified that the project will benefit farmers operating at all scales, including those raising animals at home, on small farms, and in large-scale operations. All participants are expected to experience significant profit increases. To qualify for the project’s benefits, individuals must demonstrate ownership of livestock on any scale.
Addressing the issue of frequent clashes between farmers and herders, which he attributed to intense competition for natural resources, is also part of the project’s focus. He reassured stakeholders that the project will assign $40 million in establishing small, medium, and large-scale ranches. Furthermore, he hinted at the upcoming launch of a six-year livestock farmer profiling initiative across the state.
Overall, the L-PRES project represents a significant step towards boosting livestock production and promoting economic prosperity for farmers in Kogi State. With its focus on commercialisation, technology adoption, and conflict resolution, stakeholders say the initiative offers a promising path towards a more sustainable future for the livestock sector.
