By Inusa Ndahi
A significant three-day roundtable meeting aimed at reviewing and adopting an Agricultural Extension Manual for good animal husbandry practices has commenced at the Development Hub. This initiative is designed to improve livestock farming across Borno State.
Organized by the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRESS) in collaboration with the Borno State Government, the meeting has attracted a diverse group of experts from the National Office of L-PRESS, various ministries, research institutes, and the academic community.
Participants focused on critically reviewing the manual and tailoring it to the unique needs of Borno’s livestock producers.
This effort aligns with project objectives to enhance the economic potential of the livestock sector and its value chain.
Addressing the meeting, National Extension Specialist of L PRESS Dr. Sulaiman Umar and his counterpart in charge of Animal Husbandry Dr Gabriel Ugwu, expressed confidence in the expertise present and the potential to develop a comprehensive Animal Husbandry Manual that aligns with state policies and addresses farmers’ needs.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Makinta Ali, State Coordinator of L-PRESS, emphasized the importance and timeliness of the meeting.
He noted that the state government is committed to improve the techniques, knowledge, and skills of livestock producers, aiming to restore Borno’s status as a leading livestock-producer in Nigeria.
“The sector has the potential to create numerous jobs through its value chains, while also meeting the demands for beef, milk, eggs, and other animal products,” Dr. Ali stated.
Specialists from various livestock subsectors Dr. Halima Idrissa Gambo, chairperson of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Borno State Chapter and Prof. Yusuf Idrissa noted that the workshop will come up with a manual that will encompass everything that has to do with Animal production that will be useful, relevant and acceptable to all farmers in the state.
On his part, the State Extension Officer Ibrahim Mohammed Abubakar noted that the experts will develop, endorse and adopt a manual that will benefit all livestock producers in Borno State to bring positive change not only to Borno but Nigeria at large.
At the end of the meeting, the experts resolved that the produced manual will also serve as a robust working document that will endure and effectively reflect the specific challenges and opportunities of Borno State’s livestock industry.
