Follow Us on Google
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
As part of efforts to boost livestock production in the state, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, has announced the Federal Government would upgrade the Benue Swine and Crop Improvement Project in Yandev, Gboko Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The Minister disclosed this on Saturday when he visited the swine project site at Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yandev, Gboko LGA, stating that the facility would be upgraded to meet the needs of the people.
He said the Federal Government planned to operate an integrated piggery farming and processing initiative in the state as a Special Agro-Processing Zone.
He expressed satisfaction with the existing swine project, adding that the initiative was noble and would be upgraded and sustained to meet the needs of the people.
He said the farm would be upgraded to operate at its full capacity of 3,000 pig holdings, regretting that at the moment only 79 pigs were on the farm.
He said it would be a reproductive centre where piglets would be produced for outgrowers to buy.
He said the place would encourage more genetics, adding that at the moment they have only three types of breeds at the farm: Large White, Duroc, and Landrace.
The Minister further said that the Federal Government would also encourage the establishment of a small modular processing unit where pig meat can be processed, packaged, and sold, among other things.
At the Benue Livestock Investigation and Breeding Centre, Raav, Gwer East LGA, the Minister urged the Benue State Government, through the Bureau of Livestock Development, to clear 500 hectares out of the over 3,000 hectares available for livestock fodder production (grass cultivation).
Other News
He emphasised that this initiative would not only enhance fodder availability for the facility but also support other markets and create export opportunities.
He further assured that Raav has the potential to serve the nation and pledged to enhance capacity building and introduce modern breeding systems.
He, however, regretted that a facility with over 2,400 hectares now has only 37 animals, adding that all the facilities at the centre were dilapidated and needed total rehabilitation.
The Minister said a committee would be set up to suggest ways to have facilities such as pens, isolation centres, maternity pens, dips, and other auxiliary facilities like housing and chalets because it’s going to be a research centre.
He explained that the centre would collaborate with Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), for research purposes.
Speaking during the visit, the Director General, Benue Bureau for Livestock Development, Trans-Border and Animal Control, Dr. Aondoakaa Asambe, said it was the Governor’s vision for the creation of the bureau.
Asambe said the State Government believed that with ranches, most of the security challenges facing the state would be addressed, and farmers would return to their ancestral homes.
He said it was a pragmatic step taken by the Governor to create a reliable livestock industry in the state to bring relief to the people.
He commended the Governor for the support given to the bureau so far to actualise its mandate in the livestock industry.
Our correspondent reports that the Minister also visited the International Cattle Market, Makurdi, and held a closed-door meeting with stakeholders in the livestock industry at Hub 17 Innovation Space, Makurdi.
