Kwara state government is training 3000 N-Power Agro Corps beneficiaries in the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP)

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Harriet Afolabi-Oshatimehin who disclosed this at a 3-day training workshop on the NLTP ahead of the implementation of the program said that N-Power beneficiaries were being trained to take the necessary data that would help in implementing the NLTP.

She said that the successful implementation of NLTP, a Federal Government initiative would drive productivity in agriculture, improve standards of living and help the country achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

The Commissioner explained that Kwara was participating in the program to empower the citizens, guarantee food security and boost productivity.

“In achieving the Plan, Kwara has assembled a robust and highly experienced project management team. The team will be supervised by a steering committee chaired by the secretary to the state government. This shows the high premium the state places on the NLTP,” she said.

“This training is very important. It is aimed at training and equipping the enumerators on how to effectively aggregate data needed for the National Livestock Transformation Programme. After the training, you should all have adequate skills needed to gather the data from the field.”

According to Afolabi-Oshatimehin, Nigeria imports $1.3 Billion worth of dairy and milk products and another mind-blowing $8Billion on Beef (both Live and processed) annually and Kwara State is strategically positioned to take advantage of opportunities inherent in the Livestock value chain.

“Our cost of production of a Kilogramme of beef estimated at $6/Kg is one of the world’s highest, compared to $4/Kg in the Netherlands and $2.5/Kg in India. In Israel, some cows give up to 40 Litres of milk/day; Europe and the Americas, it averages 26-30 Litres/day. Our cows produce just 1-1.5Litres/day,” she added, underscoring the need for ranching.

She said the government had allocated resources to support quick roll-out of the program and urged the enumerators to put in their best, assuring them that hard work and dedication would be rewarded.

Project Management Team Leader of Kwara NLTP, Sheriff Salau, said the plan was designed by the Federal Government to develop a value chain in the livestock sector as well as address herders-farmers clashes across the country.

“The federal government in its wisdom is trying to come up with a win-win for farmers and herders to live in harmony. Knowing the paucity of funds at the state level, the federal government has decided to support participating states in facilitating the development along the value chains,” Salau explained.