By Uzairu Dauda:
The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in Bauchi State has trained 600 beneficiaries on Business Development Planning and Resilient Viable Livestock Enterprises as part of efforts to transform the state’s livestock sector into a more productive, profitable and climate-resilient industry.
The training, held on Thursday at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre Bauchi, brought together beneficiaries drawn from the 20 local government areas participating in the project.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Bala Musa Lukshi, described the training as a significant milestone in the state’s drive to strengthen the livestock sector by equipping beneficiaries with the knowledge, practical skills and business tools needed to build sustainable livestock enterprises.
He said livestock remains a critical pillar of Bauchi State’s economy, contributing significantly to food and nutrition security, employment generation and poverty reduction.
According to the commissioner, the sector continues to face major challenges, including animal diseases, climate change, and limited market access.
Dr. Lukshi explained that the L-PRES project is supporting interventions aimed at promoting productive, profitable, climate-resilient and sustainable livestock enterprises capable of improving the livelihoods of livestock farmers across the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Bauchi State L-PRES Coordinator, Dr. Musa Adamu One, described the training as a key component of the implementation of the World Bank-supported project in the state.
He said the programme was designed to equip beneficiaries with the capacity to develop realistic and bankable business plans, identify viable investment opportunities, manage resources efficiently and make informed business decisions.
Dr. Adamu One disclosed that the Bauchi State Government has allocated 200 hectares of land for the establishment of a Livestock Service Centre to enhance livestock production and service delivery across the state.
He urged the beneficiaries to apply the knowledge gained during the training and share it with other livestock farmers in their respective communities.
The L-PRES Coordinator also revealed that the project is constructing an Artificial Insemination (AI) Centre at the Bauchi State College of Agriculture to improve cattle breeding and produce livestock that meets international standards.
In his presentation during the training, a lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Dr. Muhammad Garba, advised beneficiaries to insure their livestock businesses against unforeseen risks and losses.
He also encouraged livestock farmers to transition from traditional production systems to structured, commercially driven enterprises supported by well-developed business plans.