Monguno, Marte, Nganzai women venture into goat farming

Displaced women from insurgency-riddled Monguno, Marte and Nganzai local government areas of Borno State, have been given technical skills and startup grants to venture into commercial dairy and goat farming.

The women were among the 40 participants at a training and empowerment programme of victims of armed banditry from Marte, Monguno and Nganzai Federal Constituency, facilitated by Safah and Fresh International Limited and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Maiduguri.

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It was sponsored by the member representing the constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno.

Fatima Hassan from Monguno, who has a passion for agriculture said she will venture into commercial goat farming because care and management are easy and that she would enjoy it.

Fatima, a housewife and mother of four, said she stands a chance to make good profit in the venture from the sale of kids, nannies and bucks.   

Another woman from Gajiram, Nganzai, said she raised livestock in the past for meat but the business failed seven years ago when her community was displaced by insurgents forcing people to abandon their belongings. 

Like Hassan, she said she hoped to use her startup grant to restart small-scale goat production and earn a living.

The secretary, Safah and Fresh International Limited, Bashir Umar Tofa, said each of the participants acquired the required livestock production skills and received a cash support of N30, 000 to buy goats.

In his remarks, Hon. Monguno said the programme was meant to make participants self-reliant when they return home as Governor Babagana Zulum facilitates return to peace.  

He said the gesture would improve the livelihood of the participants and create multiplier activities in their communities.

The State Coordinator NDE, Mrs Mairo Aliyu said more jobs are created in farm ventures,  especially livestock production and called on the participants to utilise the knowledge and grants prudently.