The Federal Government has approved of the level of preparation by the Kogi State Government ahead of the proposed site for a Livestock Service Centre.
The National Project Coordinator of Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES), Alh. Abubakar Sanusi commended the state while briefing journalists shortly after an assessment tour of the proposed site at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, (CUSTECH) Osara Kogi State.
Sanusi expressed satisfaction with the leadership quality of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the State L-PRES team, adding that the introduction of mechanized farming in the State was in line with the renewed hope agenda.
He said the Livestock Service Centre when completed would improve productivity and commercialisation of livestock value chain.
“Livestock Service Centre is like a mini-complex having a lot of livestock activities going on. We have a veterinary clinic, processing facilities, abattoir, market for selling livestocks, and training of livestock farmers.
“We have provisions to establish 5 Livestock Service Centres and we want to assess the states.
“Kogi has shown interest that they want to establish the Centre, making it 12 states that have shown interest. We are here in Kogi on assessment and report back,” he added.
While urging the people of the state to embrace the project, Abubakar emphasized that the L-PRES project will reduce the menace of farmers-herders clashes in the country.
The Kogi State Project Coordinator of L-PRES Dr Olufemi Bolarin said about $31.2 million had been earmarked for the development of the Livestock Service Centre.
“The Kogi Livestock Service Centre will significantly contribute to the economic development of Kogi State by creating jobs, enhancing productivity and fostering sustainable practices.
“This project will not only boost the livestock sector but also catalyze broader economic growth and development in the region,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Confluence University of Science and Technology, (CUSTECH) Osara Prof. Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu expressed delight over the location of the Centre in the Institution, stressing that it was coming at a time the National Universities Commission approved Faculty of Agriculture for the university.
