Kogi Hands Over L-PRES Project to Ministry of Livestock Development

News in Brief:

-Kogi State transfers L-PRES Project to the new Ministry of Livestock Development to boost livestock productivity and coordination.

-The move is expected to enhance food security, promote agribusiness, and strengthen rural livelihoods across the state.

The Kogi State Government has officially transferred the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development. This handover marks a major step toward boosting livestock production and agribusiness in the state.

A Strategic Move to Strengthen Livestock Value Chains

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to establish a dedicated livestock ministry. He said that the move is a timely response to the long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s livestock sector, including the persistent farmer–herder clashes and limited productivity.

Ojomah, who chaired the State Steering Committee for the handover, noted that the L-PRES Project has been instrumental in supporting livestock farmers through improved productivity and commercialisation. He urged the new ministry to deepen collaboration with relevant agencies and development partners to achieve the project’s full objectives.

Focusing on Food Security and Rural Prosperity

In his acceptance speech, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, Commissioner for Livestock Development, stated that this decision will help strengthen animal health systems, value-chain development, and ranching programmes. These are the key drivers of food security and rural prosperity, he added.

Bolarin further explained that integrating the L-PRES Project into the new ministry aligns with global best practices.

“It will consolidate livestock policies, improve coordination, and drive programs such as ranch development, animal health services, and infrastructure for livestock clusters,” he said.

Other committee members, including Hon. Olusegun Joseph, Commissioner for Environment, and Engr. Yahaya Farouk, Commissioner for Water Resources, emphasised teamwork as crucial to sustaining progress in Kogi’s agricultural development. They urged all partners to ensure continuity and avoid disruptions that could affect the project’s success.

Kogi’s Progress Under L-PRES

The State Project Coordinator, Mr Abdulkabir Otaru, highlighted notable progress achieved under the L-PRES Project, such as improved livestock productivity, commercialisation, and resilience. He also acknowledged the World Bank’s support in approving sub-projects for infrastructure, training, and capacity building of livestock farmers.

Otaru commended Governor Ododo’s administration for providing counterpart funding and creating an enabling environment for the project to thrive, reaffirming Kogi’s commitment to becoming Nigeria’s livestock hub.