FG begins livestock project in 4 states

The Federal Government has begun a pilot project of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) in Nasarawa State.

Daily Trust reports that the first phase of the implementation will take place in Nasarawa, Plateau, Gombe and Adamawa states.

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The national plan is aimed at addressing the recurrent crisis between farmers and the herders across the country by providing ranches for the herders.

The ranches, which will be equipped with the necessary facilities are part of measures expected to stop movements of the animals in search of food.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, during a visit Netherlands, secured a €400,000 grant from to implement the project in the four states.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Agriculture, Dr Andrew Kwasari, who was in Nasarawa State in preparation for the pilot project, said he was in the state to “review in particular the project appraisal document for the start-up site and ensure that the state team is clear on the roles and responsibilities of Nasarawa State Senior Management Team of the State Livestock Transformation Office and the Project Office.”

A statement from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the Project for Agricultural Coordination and Planning (PACE) after the visit, said “on the back of the MoU signed during the State visit of Mr President to the Netherlands, the Dutch Investment Agency (RVO) approved a grant of about 400,000 Euros to cover 50% cost of the pilot start-up of NLTP model in Nasarawa State for 30 pastoralist households with a start date of March 2021.

“Cownexxion (the lead consultant in this bilateral collaboration, leading the Dutch Consortium; the Holland Dairy House Group) will serve as a technical partner for the implementation of the NLTP pilot ranches in 4 states: Nasarawa, Adamawa, Plateau and Gombe.

“In each of these states, a pilot farm, which will also serve as a training centre, will be developed. Cownexxion, is a leading Dutch consultancy focused on dairy farming. It has carried out projects in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The Company is experienced in improving the technical and economic performance of dairy farming systems.

In his response, the Deputy Governor of Nassarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, said “we are quite enthusiastic about this program starting in Nasarawa State. We feel it is a great honour that Nasarawa State was picked to pilot this project. We as a State have resolved not only to be in charge but also in control.

“We want to own it and make Nasarawa an envy of other states because we are supposed to showcase not only Nasarawa State but the whole of Nigeria.”

Daily Trust reports that the focus of the two and a half year project will be on feed production, transfer of knowledge and skills plus the transformation of management.