FG, World Bank unveil 6-year livestock development project

Following efforts to scale up livestock and curb the ongoing clash between farmers and herders, the federal government and the World Bank unveiled a six-year livestock development initiative, Livestock Productivity and Resilience (L-PRES).

The President’s Chief of Staff (CoS), Professor Ibrahim Gambari, during his speech at the project’s inauguration in Abuja, noted that the project will address climate change, which is said to be affecting animal breeding in the country.

He stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has invited all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to participate in the project.

The Council of State to the President further stated that Nigeria has successfully vaccinated livestock against cross-border diseases, which he said has helped protect the national livestock sector.

He revealed that small animal veterinary clinics have been built in states in the country’s geopolitical zones.

“The L-PRES project would complement our industry efforts as it aims to provide funding for the explicit mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and mitigation objectives into all relevant policies and strategies, including the Livestock Master Plan (LMP), the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) and the National Agriculture Transformation Innovation Policy (NATIP),” said Gambari.

For his part, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Dr Muhammad Abubakar said the L-PRES is designed to address the challenges associated with livestock farming, including lack of access to grazing areas and water drinking points, rustling and transboundary diseases .

The minister further noted that the project aims at reviving and boosting the activities related to the sector, such as milk and dairy products, beef, eggs and by-products.

Ms. Kathy Whimp, World Bank Deputy Country Representative, said that in addition to financial support, the program will receive technical assistance from the Bank to implement the initiative.

Whimp stated that the bank is now investing in Nigerian livestock development for the first time in 20 years.

She added that the project will help solve the farmers-herdsman crisis, and generate wealth and employment for young Nigerians along the value chains.

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