Kogi govt. vows to end farmers/Herders crisis, distributes pasture seeds to 510 livestock’s farmers

By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick,Kogi

Kogi state government in a bid to avert farmers/herders crisis in the State has distributed Pasture Seeds and Fodder Choppers to 510 farmers to boost livestock production in the state.

The Kogi State project coordinator, Livestock Productivity and Resilience support, L-PRES project, Olufemi Bolarin

argued that the livestock sector is vital to Nigeria’ s socio economic development.

He traced the current inflation in the prices of food stuffs in the Country to farmer herders crisis.

“The end result of this is to curb farmers/Herder conflicts in our State. The distribution of Pasture Seeds and Fodder Choppers to 210 and 300 farmers respectively is coming at a time where our nation is faced with the issues of farmers/Herder crisis.

“When there is food, agricultural commodities face what we call inelastic supply price curve. So when they are more in the market, the price will automatically drop. There will be more produce in the market at a low price.

” 42 percent of Nigeria’s population own at least one type of livestock, 30 percent of the population are living directly from livestock production, while an estimated five million people are productively engaged in upstream segments of the livestock value chain.

“However, one of the challenges increasingly affecting the sector is the continuous decrease of limited natural resources, especially pasture; which has also become a significant source of the Framers – Herders crisis in Nigeria. It is in recognition of the sector and the need to address its challenges that the L-PRES project was launched.

“The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES), Project is a World Bank supported initiative with a Project Development Objective (PDO) to improve Productivity, Commercialisation, along the Livestock Value Chain and Build Resilience of targeted livestock farmers and to strengthen

the Country’s capacity to respond to any eligible crisis or emergency.

He applauded governor Ododo’s administration for his commitment in ensuring food security in Kogi State, he warned the beneficiaries not to sell the items given to them.

Responding, the Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojoma who was represented by the ministry Permanent Secretary Jonah Enehi charged the beneficiaries and other livestock farmers to double their efforts to make sure Kogi State became the first in the Country in livestock’s production.

He noted that the state government is determined to enhance food security in the state.

The Commissioner encouraged livestock farmers and disputing parties to resolve their differences amicably, pointing out that the present administration is committed to ensuring peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders in Kogi State.