ECOWAS-PACBAO, Gombe Govt train farmers on livestock value chain
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commenced training for farmers in Gombe State on livestock value chain.
The training which commenced on Wednesday in Gombe is being conducted through the ECOWAS Support Programme for Livestock Marketing in West Africa (ECOWAS-PACBAO 11).
The capacity-building workshop is funded by Swiss Development Cooperation through ECOWAS and Gombe State Government.
Dr Adetunji Jolaosho, ECOWAS-PACBAO 11 project team leader, said the project was initiated to propagate modern ways of livestock business, from production to marketing.
He added that the training was to enable farmers to fully harness the livestock value chain, provide jobs for their women and youths and improve their income.
This, he said, would be done by educating them on how to upgrade their feedlot, crossbreeding and meat value chains.
“It is to modernise and upgrade the way livestock industry is operated, to minimise loses for farmers.
“The meat to the market is between 200 and 250 kilograms that is very low because in other places, cattle to the market is up to 600kg; why should ours be different? This is why we are here.
“So we will look at cross-breeding too, to boost the size of animals when taken to abattoir for slaughter.
“Also, the hygiene and upgrade of abattoir facilities will be given due attention to ensure that only healthy meat is made available for citizens to eat,” the project leader said.
Jolaosho added that the participants would be trained on how to develop hydroponic fodder, which if properly embraced, would reduce migration by pastoralists and enhance availability of livestock feed.
The state Commissioner of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Muhammad Magaji Gettado said
knowledge on value chain in the livestock industry would help to harness its huge potentials.
Represented by Suleiman Musa, Director Administration and Finance in the ministry, Gettado said the opening up of the sector would help to generate employment and improve farmers’ income.
He, therefore, advised the participants to take advantage of the workshop to enhance their knowledge.
One of the participants, Abdullahi Sintali commended the initiative, saying it would help them to harness the value chain opportunities in the livestock sub-sector.
Our correspondent reports that 35 farmers drawn from different livestock projects in the state are participating in the training.
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