The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has trained some women in rural areas on milk processing and yoghurt making.
The women in Duku Rugga, Birini Kebbi LGA of Kebbi state, got trained during a tour of the Duku Rugga milk processing plant by ECOWAS’ team.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Sekou Sangare, stressed the need to empower the vulnerable population through skills acquisition can have a direct impact on livelihoods and the economy.
Kebbi State Commissioner for Animal Science, Mr. Garba Dandiga, said there is a partnership with ECOWAS through its Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA) and the Association for the Promotion of Livestock in the Sahel and Savannah (APESS).
Dandiga said apart from the dairy plant, the state is also supporting targeted groups with equipment like solar refrigerators and watering points.
It is expected that the yoghurt will be bought through the government’s school feeding programme.
“The yoghurt from the plant is produced hygienically with a sanitised udder, while the milk is filtered and pasteurised before necessary condiments are added and then fermented. The women are also taught how to keep out the pests,” he said.
A beneficiary, Hajari Idris, thanked her benefactors and pledged that the skills will be put to the utmost use in order to boost their income and reduce poverty in the area.
