The Kwara State government on Friday held a stakeholders meeting with investors and other partners in livestock business to deliberate on how to further harness the potentials in the livestock sector of the State.
The meeting which was facilitated by the State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) is part of the move to ensure increased productivity, enhanced commercialization of livestock production systems and establish viable market linkage for an improved livestock business in the State.
The meeting which was held at E-Phoenix Hotel Ilorin, had in attendance; The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas; The Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on Special Duties, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Jiddah; CEO, Rabelat Nig. Enterprises, Alh. Ahmed Raji; Managing Director, Awaa, Mr. Jerry Cunning’ham; Representatives of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and L-PRES State Implementation Team.
Addressing the stakeholders, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas said the state government has been strategic in the implementation of its agricultural plan especially the livestock transformation agenda in order to achieve the desired results in the sector.
She explained that part of the reasons for the stakeholders engagement with the partners, investors and the relevant agencies was to come up with innovative ideas, and solutions to some of the identified challenges and proffer workable solutions.
The Commissioner further pointed out that the participants were carefully selected due to their experience and knowledge in livestock value chain which would be of a great assistance in the implementation of the State’s livestock projects.
On his part, the Senior Special Adviser on Special Duties, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Jiddah disclosed that the state government would spare no effort at ensuring that substantial numbers of moribund sectors were resuscitated to ensure the transformation of Kwara State from a civil service state to a revenue generating state viable enough not to be dependent on the federal government before it could perform its statutory responsibilities, adding that the state government under the leadership of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has placed competent individuals in charge of various Ministries and Agencies in the State to achieve set goals.
He urged the stakeholders in attendance to have confidence in the present government in its efforts at making Kwara the livestock hub of the country.
Alhaji Jiddah explained that the state government was opening more roads to ensure easy accessiblity and free movement of agricultural products to attract more investors to the state.
In his remarks, the Managing Director, American-West African Agro Limited (AWAA), Mr. Jerry Cunningham said AWAA is a reputable firm established to assist government and major companies to impact on the world’s food supplies in order to enhance food security and attain economically beneficial investments.
Mr. Cunningham who disclosed that the firm was at the process of establishing livestock business in Kwara to enhance livestock production of the State, appreciated the state government investment in the livestock sector and assured that his firm would bring new innovations into livestock business ranging from improved quality feeds, creating market for livestock products as well as creating more job opportunities for the people of the State.
The CEO, Rabelat Nig Ltd, Mr. Ahmed Raji said the firm has about 10 hectares of land in Bode Saadu, Moro Local Government Area of the State to establish a cattle market and other livestock activities to drive the revenue generation of the Kwara.
Earlier, the State L-PRES Project Coordinator, Mr. Olusoji Oyawoye had informed the stakeholders that the state governor has prioritized the livestock sector in order to make it a model to other states across the federation.
Oyawoye also explained that the L-PRES project development objectives in Kwara was to improve productivity in livestock business, commercialization of selected value chains with major focus on beef and dairy, including small ruminant animals and to prevent eligible crisis in the livestock sector of the State.
