21 STATES TO BENEFIT FROM $200M LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SUPPORT

The Federal Government in collaboration with World Bank has mapped out Two hundred million dollars for Livestock Productivity Resilience Support Project in twenty one States across the country.

This was made known when a Federal Government and World Bank Team visited some officials of Ebonyi State Government in Abakaliki for sensitization on the objectives of the project.

The team also visited some agricultural facilities to ascertain the potential of the State to participate in the project. The Livestock Productivity Resilience Support is a

6 years project open to twenty one States which will be selected based on expression of interest and annual payment of twenty million Naira counterpart fund.

The Leader of the Team, Mr Samuel Alabi explained that the main objective of the project was to enhance the productivity value chain of Livestock such as cattle, piggery, goat, sheep, poultry, grass cutter and snail farming.

He noted that it had four components which would ensure that each participating State concentrated on the production of livestock where it possessed comparative advantage.

The Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Dr. Hyginus Nwokwu noted that Agriculture remains the mainstay of the State and assured the team of active participation of the Government in the project.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Ikechukwu Nwobo commended the Federal Government for the initiative, pointing out that it would go a long way in checking farmers and herders clashes in some parts of the country.

The Coordinator FADAMA III in Ebonyi State, Dr. Cletus Nwakpu assured the team of the preparedness of his office to ensure effective takeoff of the project.

High point of the visit was an interactive session between the Team and stakeholders in the Livestock sub-sector at FADAMA Three Office Onuebonyi.

AMECHI ODO