Ekiti Trains Livestock Cooperatives to Improve Productivity, Strengthen Management

The Ekiti State Government has begun a capacity-building programme for cooperative societies to improve management and boost productivity in the livestock value chain.

The training, held in Ado Ekiti under the Ekiti State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to build sustainable and profitable cooperative societies.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, represented by the ministry's Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Omolade Adeleye, said the livestock sector plays an important role in economic growth, job creation, food security and rural development.

He said many cooperative societies face challenges including weak leadership, poor record keeping, inadequate financial management and limited business planning, which affect their ability to access funding and grow their businesses.

The training covers cooperative governance, financial management, business planning, access to finance, collective marketing, digital administration, conflict resolution, and the inclusion of women and young people.

State L-PRES Coordinator, Adedipe Olayinka, said strong cooperative societies are essential to growing the state's economy, while the lead consultant, Abdulazeez Salau, described cooperatives as a globally recognised model for economic development and innovation.