From Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in Sokoto State has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the activities of Livestock Value Chain (LVC) operators, comprising leaders of associations involved in livestock production, processing and marketing in the state.
Sirajo Abubakar, the Project Coordinator in Sokoto, gave the assurance during a meeting with stakeholders in the state’s livestock industry held at L-PRES office in Sokoto.
Abubakar emphasised that the project’s design includes providing technical support and assistance to various categories of livestock producers, including Fulani herders, household livestock keepers, farm owners, processors such as butchers, hides and skin merchants, yoghurt production, and many more with a particular focus on small and medium-scale businesses.
According to him, the project aim is to create market linkages that will improve the commercialisation of livestock and livestock products.
Abubakar explained that the primary objective of this intervention is to introduce technology to enhance livestock production, improve value addition, and promote commercialisation, potentially facilitating exportation.
During the meeting, Umar Madawaki, the Livestock Value Chain Officer, emphasised the importance of this interaction, particularly in light of the high demand for livestock products in the state.
Stakeholders were also introduced to a new beneficiary mapping tool by the project’s Monitoring Officer, Khalid Abdullahi Sarki.
The tool, according to Sarki, is a mobile application that can be installed on Android phones to register and submit beneficiary information to a backend data server for future use.
He also said the tool was designed to prevent the creation of ghost members by some associations.
One of the participants, Murtala Isah who is the Chairman of the Leather Value Chain in Sokoto state, advised other leaders to collaborate with L-PRES on this significant and unique assignment, recognising it as a golden opportunity to promote livestock production and the livestock product business.