The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), fueled by a $500 million World Bank fund, has empowered 30,000 livestock farmers in Kogi State. The initiative, directly aiding 21,000 individuals and 9,000 women, focuses on enhancing profitability and commercial viability in the livestock sector.
Olufemi Bolarin, coordinator of the L-PRES project implementation unit in Kogi State, shared this during a two-day Orientation Workshop in Lokoja. The workshop aimed to familiarize members with the project’s concepts, processes, and implementation philosophy.
“The project’s goal is to elevate livestock production by commercializing the sector, thereby increasing profits for livestock farmers nationwide,” emphasized Bolarin.
He highlighted the World Bank’s significant investment in Nigeria’s livestock sector, with states contributing resettlement funds to kickstart operations. Bolarin outlined the inclusive initiative, targeting livestock farmers of all scales, including women.
The project aims to directly impact 50,000 livestock farmers in Kogi State, with 30% allocated to women beneficiaries. Bolarin assured that profiling exercises for farmers would begin soon, spanning a six-year period.
Addressing farmer-herder conflicts, Bolarin outlined plans to invest $40 million in establishing scale ranches to mitigate resource competition and potential clashes. The project aims to produce adequate grass for livestock, significantly reducing conflicts between farmers and herders.
The L-PRES initiative envisions supporting livestock farmers at micro, small, medium, and large scales, fostering profitability and potentially alleviating clashes in the region.