Farmers’ literacy level among other factors has been identified as a major challenge to pasture technologies.
Chief Executive Officer, Milk Value Chain Foundation (MVCF), Ishaq Bello, said this while speaking at a dairy forum in Abuja on Thursday.
According to him, the essence of the dialogue was to create an interaction between development partners within the government and farmers.
He said, “There are several challenges faced by farmers; There is a challenge of how the technology is being packaged and its ease of use. The literacy level of the farmers is another challenge as that is imperative to the whole process. The availability of resources to farmers is another issue; sufficient funds and land.”
“The essence of this dialogue is to create interaction between development partners within the government and farmers. Things like this take time but with constant engagements and dialogue like the one we are having today it is very possible. We are identifying the key issues and proffering solutions together in order to ensure sustainable production and adoption,” he said.
Managing Director of MILCOPAL, Mrs Rukiya Gwanme, said the programme would enable women farmers to generate more income.
“This will help women farmers know how milk is being processed and marketed. They will know how to apportion milk for household consumption and how to market the remnants thereby helping their families financially.”
“Technology will help us in many areas; It will bolster production, it will help in selecting, raising and breeding of animals, it will greatly improve the overall hygiene of animals,” she said.
Deputy Director, Commercial Remnant and Bureau Production of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Hakeem Ibilade, disclosed that the project had been fully approved by the ministry.
