A hundred extension agents and farmers in Kwara State have been trained in small ruminant production and crop residue processing to improve livestock feed utilization.
Participants were selected from the state’s 16 Local Government Areas for this training, aimed at enhancing food security in Kwara and Nigeria. The programme, organized by the Kwara State government, the Kwara State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), with support from the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) and the World Bank, was facilitated by Synergy Impact Consultants Limited.
At the opening ceremony, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized the importance of extension agents and farmers in sensitization efforts, stating that they are crucial for the L-PRES programme. Represented by National Project Coordinator Mallam Abubakar Sanusi, he highlighted that about 70% of animal feasibility studies rely on sensitization to understand animal needs. He urged extension agents to collaborate closely with farmers to boost livestock productivity.
The minister noted that Kwara is one of 20 states participating in the programme, which aims to enhance animal production productivity and involves collaboration with research institutes for pasture development.
State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, announced plans to target over 1,000 extension agents in the next two years and to provide each local government with a motorcycle for effective operation. She praised the contributions of extension agents and farmers to agricultural productivity and food security in the state.
Thomas stated that the current administration is committed to food security through practical steps in crop and livestock production. “We are passionate about developing our extension agents as we believe they can ensure food security. We have always invested in our extension agents and farmers,” she said.
Participant Oyeleke Raufu commended the programme, noting that the training covered small ruminant rearing, low-cholesterol meat production, and using farm waste for animal feed, among other agricultural value chains.
