The Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project (KSADP) is to partner with 20 investors in commercial fodder, to boost large scale production of livestock feed.
The project’s Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba-Muhammad, stated this through the project’s Communication Specialist, Mr Ameen Yassar, in a statement in Kano, to celebrate World Milk Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Milk Day is celebrated on June 1 annually, to recognise the contributions of the milk and dairy sector to the world.
He said that the decision was borne out of the desire to address the dire shortage of livestock feeds in Kano, in a sustainable way.
Garba-Muhammad added, “private sector’s involvement is key towards achieving the objective.
“Empirical studies have shown that availability and quality of fodder had a significant impact on livestock production, especially milk and meat”.
The coordinator said the initiative would address farmers-herdsmen conflicts and other security challenges arising from the movement of pastoralists with their livestock, over long distances in search of feed.
“Thus, to promote fodder development in the state, our project will support investments in commercial large scale fodder production, in partnership with the private sector.
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“20 private sector investors interested in fodder production on plots of not less than 50 hectares each, will be assisted in the development of pastures, provision of harvesting and baling equipment and marketing facilities,” he said.
“Kano State Government will make land available from its grazing reserves for that purpose.
“It is expected that at least 1,000 hectares of pastures, which yield up to 25 tonnes per hectare, will be developed.
“This is apart from the support to be given to 5,000 youths, who will grow one hectare of fodder each, from which they will cut and sell for profit.
“We also have a separate smallholder fodder production arrangement at Dansohiya grazing reserve,” Garba-Muhammad said.
He added that the project had procured crop residue processing machines and other related materials worth millions of Naira, for about 1,000 youths.
According to him, the gesture will enable the youth to produce and sell ‘farm wastes’ that could be used as livestock feed after crops’ harvests.
