L-PRES NATIONAL COORDINATOR LAUDS EKITI FOR EFFORTS TOWARDS SMOOTH TAKEOFF OF PROPOSED LIVESTOCK SERVICE CENTRE ADO
The National Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) , Mr. Sanusi Abubakar has lauded the Ekiti State Government for the remarkable progress it has made towards the smooth takeoff of the proposed Livestock Service Centre in the State.
Alh. Sanusi who made the remark during an assessment tour of the proposed site of the centre in Ado-Ekiti, disclosed that the Livestock Service Centre would greatly improve productivity and commercialisation of livestock value chain in the State when the proposed center becomes operational
According to him, the Centre would be a hub for livestock activities and would have among other things: a veterinary clinic, an abattoir, a livestock market, diagnostic center as well as processing facilities that would promote sustainable modern livestock production practices.
Sanusi expressed delight at what the State Government has done in the Livestock sector, assuring that the State Abattoir and Cattle market along Iworoko Road would be upgraded with State -of- the-art equipment under the proposed programme.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Ebenezer Boluwade reiterated the commitment of Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji to the institution of modern agricultural practices, livestock development and other programmes that would boost massive food production and guarantee food security in the State.
According to him, the present administration had opened up several thousands of hectares of land for farming in the three Senatorial Districts of the State and has also promoted cluster farming as well as embarked on a massive tractorization programme that is heavily subsidized by the Government.
Boluwade disclosed that “Ekiti State Broilers Production Scheme” under which young graduates with keen interest in Agriculture are being trained and empowered in poultry production is being expanded to admit more youths while efforts are in top gear to engage more youths in other areas of agriculture with short gestation period.
He stressed that Ekiti State government has renovated Livestock Development Center(LDC), provided water and pastures for animals to prevent incessant destructions of farm lands which usually cause crises between herders and farmers.
Boluwade posited that with the proximity of the State Cargo Airport which will soon become operational, Ekiti State Knowledge Zone, the Afe Babalola Industrial Park among others around Erinfun, the implementation of Livestock Service Center in the area would boost Livestock Production, noting that the government has inaugurated State Peace Committee on mediation to put permanent solution to crises between the farmers and cattle rearers.
In his response, the State Project Coordinator L-PRES, Mr Olayinka Adedipe disclosed the Programme has held a series of capacity building programmes for livestock farmers, producers and service providers in the last few weeks.
Adedipe stressed that the establishment of the Livestock Service Center in the State would boost food Security and would contribute to food safety by increasing the availability of animal-sourced foods such as meat, dairy, eggs, promote environmentally sustainable livestock production practices, improve animal welfare through better handling, housing and health management practices as well as strengthen livestock markets, improving market access, trade opportunities for farmers and producers.
On the entourage of the National Project Coordinator on the tour to assess implementation of Livestock Service Center in the State were the Assistant Project Accountant, Mr. Biodun Adeniyi, Technical Operation Officer, Mrs. Jubabatu Ibrahim and Secretary to the National Project Coordinator, Mrs. Halimat Suleiman.
