The World Bank, in partnership with the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) through its project in the country, Agro-Processing, Production Enhancement Support Project (APPEALS) has trained over 150 herdsmen on pasture production in Kaduna.
The participants were drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state.
In an interview with journalists shortly after the opening ceremony held at the Institute Tuesday, Kaduna state project coordinator, Dr Yahaya Aminu, said the training was primarily designed to avail the participants the techniques of livestock feeds production in order to boost food security in the area of meat and dairy production.
“NAPRI is a federal government’s institute that has the mandate of research into production of livestock production and we in APPEALS are working towards improvement in three priority addition value chain which include ginger, maize and dairy in Kaduna state and we are in partnership with the Institute to train herders in order to achieve our objective in the dairy and meat production.
“You know, there must be sufficient livestock feeds so as to have successful production in order to pave the way for enhanced food nutrition through adequate meat and milk.
“Feeds are the major challenge and obstacle in livestock production as a result of reduction of grazing arrears where livestock can feed, as well as the security of livestock and herders themselves.
“It is in line with the federal government’s transformation of livestock production where the pastoralists and livestock are kept in secure arrears.
“The other challenge is the short period of rainfall, especially in Northern part of the country hence the need to train the herders on how to have sufficient feeds for their livestock,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Hauwa Yunusa from Kubau local government area of the state thanked the World Bank for the gesture accorded them and assured that they will reciprocate the gesture by putting the training into practice in order to achieve the desired objectives.
