$500M World Bank Boost: L-PRES Project to Support 39,000 Livestock Farmers In Kogi

About 39,000 livestock farmers in Kogi State are poised to benefit from a $500 million intervention fund by the World Bank, aimed at empowering livestock farmers nationwide. 

The initiative, known as the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), is a comprehensive effort to enhance Nigeria's livestock sector, with Kogi State taking a prominent role in its implementation.

During an orientation workshop for the Kogi State L-PRES Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in Lokoja, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, the State coordinator, explained that the project's goal is to boost livestock production by commercializing the business, thereby increasing profits for farmers. 

The workshop is pivotal to driving its implementation in Kogi State. The project, already underway, aims to reach 30,000 direct beneficiaries and 9,000 women beneficiaries in the state.

Dr. Bolarin highlighted the World Bank's investment of $500 million in supporting livestock production across Nigeria. He emphasized that states have contributed resettlement funds to kickstart the project. 

The target beneficiaries include livestock farmers at various scales, from those rearing animals at home to small, medium, and large-scale operators, all expected to profit from the project.

Dr. Bolarin revealed that L-PRES would soon commence profiling livestock farmers in Kogi State, with the exercise spanning six years. To qualify as a beneficiary, individuals must own livestock at micro, small, medium, or large scales. 

Addressing the ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders, the project coordinator attributed the issues to competition for natural resources. He assured that $40 million would be invested in establishing small, medium, and large-scale ranches to minimize, if not eradicate, these conflicts.

Notable figures at the workshop included Dr. Oyesola Olumide Oyebanji, the Lead Coordinating Consultant for Kogi L-PRES, and Pastor Ajuwon Sola Samuel, along with Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, the Kogi State L-PRES State Coordinator.