Kogi State Government Embarks on Ambitious Plan to Transform State into Nigeria's Livestock Production Hub - LivestockTrend

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Wednesday, 31 July 2024

Kogi State Government Embarks on Ambitious Plan to Transform State into Nigeria's Livestock Production Hub

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, during the launch of credit support scheme designed for 500 women and youth


The Kogi State Government has made a bold commitment to transform the state into Nigeria's leading hub for livestock production, with a focus on empowering women and youth in the agricultural sector. This declaration was made by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo during the launch of a credit support scheme designed for 500 women and youth involved in the poultry value chain.


The ceremony, held at the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, saw Governor Ododo express his gratitude to the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the World Bank Group for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project. He hailed the project as a transformative force for the state's agricultural sector, emphasizing the state's commitment to achieving the project's goals.


Kogi State's strategic location, extensive arable land, and abundant human resources will be leveraged to increase productivity and ensure food security, aligning with the administration's campaign promises. Governor Ododo emphasized that the initiative seamlessly fits into the administration's short, medium, and long-term plans to make Kogi State the epicenter of livestock production in Nigeria.


The credit supply initiative for livestock farmers will significantly improve the welfare of the people by enhancing livestock productivity, according to Timothy Ojomah, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security. Dr. Olufemi Bolarin, the state coordinator of the L-PRES project, emphasized the project's ongoing commitment to empowering women and youths in the agricultural sector.


The L-PRES project aims to improve productivity and commercialization along the livestock value chain, build resilience among targeted livestock farmers, and strengthen the country's capacity to respond to crises or emergencies. One of the critical focus areas of the project is to incorporate content and approaches to close gender gaps in livestock ownership and value-chain positions.


This includes training in socio-emotional skills to support women's entrepreneurship and adjusting training content, delivery methods, and timing to accommodate gender differences in digital literacy, access, and household responsibilities. Dr. Bolarin highlighted that the program is about more than just poultry; it is about fostering self-reliance and empowerment within communities.


The program is committed to the well-being of women, who are the backbone of families, and the youth, who are full of fresh ideas and ambition. Dr. Abdullahi Ozomata, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Multilateral and Donor Agencies, congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunities provided by the state government and its partners.


The L-PRES project, a collaboration between the World Bank and the Kogi State government, has so far offered credit support to 500 women and youth farmers in the poultry value chain in Kogi State. The project's success will depend on the commitment of all stakeholders, including the government, farmers, and development partners, to work together to achieve the goal of transforming Kogi State into Nigeria's livestock production hub.


In conclusion, the Kogi State Government's commitment to transforming the state into Nigeria's livestock production hub is a bold and ambitious plan that has the potential to improve the lives of women and youth in the agricultural sector. The success of the project will depend on the commitment of all stakeholders to work together to achieve this goal.

 


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