L-PRES

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Coordination Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has trained extension officers and other stakeholders on Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and referral pathways.

The workshop, organised under the World Bank-supported livestock development programme, was aimed at strengthening the capacity of project personnel, field extension officers and other stakeholders to promote inclusive and safe livestock development across the state.

Speaking at the event, the Kano State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Salisu Inuwa, said the training was organised to equip extension officers with the knowledge required to address gender-related challenges among livestock farmers and pastoral communities.

Represented by the project’s Extension Officer, Gambo Isa Garko, Dr. Inuwa said the project considers gender equity and social inclusion critical to its success because it works directly with livestock farmers and Fulani pastoralists whose livelihoods are shaped by household and community dynamics.

He said the knowledge acquired during the training would be cascaded to farmers and pastoralists across the state to help reduce gender imbalance, encourage mutual respect and foster greater inclusion in livestock production.

“We are saying everybody is important. Let us include women in activities of men, include men in activities of women and respect each other’s opinions in the household,” he said.

Dr. Inuwa said about 96 participants attended the workshop, including 60 extension officers, who are expected to replicate the sensitisation in communities across Kano’s 44 local government areas.

He expressed optimism that the extension officers would reach thousands of farmers directly and indirectly through community-based sensitisation sessions during the lifespan of the project.

The Gender and Gender-Based Violence Officer of Kano L-PRES, Hajiya Ummi Sarki Abubakar, said the workshop formed part of the project’s continuous sensitisation programme to ensure staff and field extension officers understand the World Bank’s safeguards on gender inclusion and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

She said participants were also sensitised on referral pathways and the “Do No Harm” Code of Conduct to ensure cases of gender-based violence are handled professionally, without exposing survivors to stigma or discrimination.

“It is the responsibility of every member, directly or indirectly, to uphold these policies to ensure dignity, safety, protection and equal opportunities for all beneficiaries,” she said.

Delivering a presentation on Gender Equity and Social Inclusion, the Director of the Centre for Gender Studies and Livelihood Enhancement at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Dr. Zahra’u Bamali Nouruddeen, said sustainable development can only be achieved when women, youths and other vulnerable groups are given equal access to opportunities and resources.

She said many women remain excluded not because they lack the ability to contribute, but because they are often denied access to information and training that would empower them economically.

“If you don’t call me, if you don’t show me the way, if you don’t train me, how will I know I am important?” she asked.

Also delivering a presentation, Zainab Baba, Social Livelihood Officer and Gender Desk Officer of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in Jigawa State, highlighted the importance of referral pathways and codes of conduct in addressing gender-based violence.

She said project personnel must understand where survivors should be referred for appropriate services while ensuring that workplaces and project communities remain safe, inclusive and free from all forms of abuse.

One of the participants, Hajiya Bilkisu Ado Zango, Chief Executive Officer of Media Advocacy for Inclusion and Development, described the workshop as timely, saying it brought issues affecting persons with disabilities into discussions on gender, livestock development and gender-based violence.

She said the awareness created through the training would encourage more persons with disabilities to speak up against gender-based violence and participate actively in development programmes.

By Uzair Adam

The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has commenced a two-day training programme for livestock farmers and other stakeholders in Kano State on crop residue processing, fodder production, silage making and the utilisation of fabricated feed crushers aimed at reducing feeding costs and improving livestock productivity.

The programme, which began on Wednesday, is bringing together more than 200 participants representing over 100 livestock-related groups, including herders, poultry farmers, milk producers, butchers and private sector operators from across the state.

The training focuses on practical methods of converting crop residues and other agricultural waste into affordable and nutritious animal feed while fostering collaboration among stakeholders across the livestock value chain.

The initiative also serves as a platform for participants to exchange ideas, share experiences and explore partnerships that could enhance livestock production and strengthen resilience within the sector.

Explaining the rationale behind the programme on behalf of the Kano State Project Coordinator, Salisu Muhammad Inuwa, Gambo Isah Garko, an Extension Officer with L-PRES in Kano State, said livestock feeding remains one of the biggest challenges confronting producers, particularly during the dry season.

According to him, many livestock producers struggle to access affordable feed, making it necessary to train them on how to convert crop residues into valuable feed resources rather than allowing them to go to waste.

“Feeding has become very difficult. That is why we are giving them this training so they can utilise crop residues and other agricultural waste for livestock feeding,” he said.

Garko explained that participants were being taught how to improve the nutritional value of crop residues through the use of additives and appropriate processing methods.

He said the training would help farmers better understand livestock nutritional requirements and adopt feeding practices that improve animal growth and productivity.

Beyond improving feeding practices, Garko said the programme was designed to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders in the livestock sector.

“We have called major players across the value chain because this gives them an opportunity to interact and establish linkages that will benefit everyone,” he said.

He disclosed that about 200 participants attended the programme, representing 110 groups, including livestock breeders’ associations, poultry farmers, butchers, milk producers and private livestock operators.

Garko further noted that adopting the feed-processing techniques being taught could reduce livestock feeding costs by as much as 40 per cent.

According to him, farmers can significantly cut expenses by processing crop residues such as corn stalks and incorporating them into animal feed instead of depending entirely on commercial feed products.

“Using crop residues together with the crusher machines will drastically reduce production costs while maintaining or even improving the weight gain of animals,” he said.

He further revealed that L-PRES had distributed more than 210 feed crusher machines to livestock groups and farms across Kano State and was planning additional support for poultry feed production.

Garko urged participants to put the knowledge gained into practice and share it with other farmers in their communities.

“The purpose is not just to learn but to practice what has been learned and pass the knowledge to others,” he added.

The emphasis on practical application was echoed by Sule Saleh, Value Chain Officer of Enterprise Project Canada, who explained that the training was intended to ensure beneficiaries effectively utilise and maintain the feed crusher machines distributed under the project.

He said the machines were provided as common-user assets to cooperatives rather than individuals, enabling more farmers within each community to benefit from them.

“The project has distributed these machines across farmer groups, and this training is to show them the best way to operate and maintain them in an environmentally friendly manner,” Saleh said.

He noted that sustainability was a key component of the intervention, with beneficiary groups expected to establish committees responsible for overseeing repairs, maintenance and proper utilisation of the machines.

“We are confident that these arrangements will sustain the equipment and even encourage associations to acquire additional machines in the future,” he said.

Saleh advised participants to make proper use of the knowledge, equipment and other interventions provided under the project.

“Government is not providing these interventions for the sake of it. They are meant to improve your capacity, increase your income and enhance your livelihoods,” he said.

Beyond the technical aspects of feed production, the training also highlighted government efforts aimed at strengthening agriculture and livestock development in the state.

Speaking at the event, Abubakar Muhammad Kabiru, Animal Husbandry Officer with L-PRES, commended the Kano State Government for its continued support to the agricultural and livestock sectors.

He acknowledged the commitment of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to programmes aimed at improving agricultural productivity, strengthening livestock production and enhancing food security across the state.

Kabiru encouraged participants to actively engage in the training and apply the skills acquired in their farms and businesses.

“The success of this intervention depends largely on your commitment to applying the lessons learned in your farms, businesses and communities,” he said.

Participants, meanwhile, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention for addressing the persistent challenge of livestock feeding.

Among them was Lawan Muhammad Alaramma, Chairman of the Fulani Union of Milk and Fura Sellers, who expressed appreciation to L-PRES for organising the training.

Alaramma said the scarcity of animal feed remained one of the biggest challenges confronting Fulani herders, often forcing them to travel long distances in search of pasture and exposing them to numerous hardships.

He noted that the training, coming after the distribution of feed crusher machines to livestock groups, would help farmers make better use of available resources and improve productivity.

“This is the kind of training we have been looking for over a long period. Feed is our major challenge, and this knowledge will help us overcome many of the difficulties we face,” he said.

By Uzair Adam

The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), in collaboration with the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), has rewarded outstanding participants at the end of its North-West Regional Capacity Building Programme in Kano, following a competitive assessment designed to test their knowledge of financial management and business practices.

The programme, which focused on bridging the livestock agribusiness finance gap, concluded on Friday with participants drawn from Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Speaking at the closing session, the Capacity Building Manager of DBN, Fortune Tamunokuro Granville, said the assessment was conducted to evaluate participants’ understanding of key training modules, particularly financial literacy and financial management.

He explained that the test, which comprised 50 multiple-choice questions, was aimed at ensuring that livestock entrepreneurs acquire the knowledge required to formalise their businesses and become eligible for funding.

“The essence of the programme is to ensure access to credit for livestock farmers, and that can only happen when they understand financial management and properly structure their businesses,” he said.

Granville noted that the process was transparent, as scripts were independently marked without interference from project officials.

According to him, the top-performing participants from each of the four states received grants of one million naira each to support their businesses.

He added that two female participants who emerged among the highest scorers were also awarded N250,000 each, in line with DBN’s commitment to gender inclusion.

“In total, we had six winners. This is to encourage them to apply what they have learned and continue improving their businesses,” he said, adding that the bank is also considering a mentorship programme to support beneficiaries beyond the training.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Bashir Sunusi, who represented the Commissioner, Dr. Danjuma Mahmud, said the workshop had provided a platform to address critical financing challenges affecting the livestock sector.

He noted that discussions during the programme highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among government, financial institutions and private sector actors to unlock opportunities across the livestock value chain.

Sunusi reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to supporting agricultural transformation and creating an enabling environment for agribusinesses to thrive.

“The insights generated here must be translated into concrete actions that will benefit farmers, processors and other stakeholders,” he said.

On their parts, some of the participants described the training as impactful, noting that it had equipped them with practical knowledge to improve their businesses.

One of the winners, Dr. Mu’iz Bakari from Kaduna State, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying the training had exposed him to better ways of managing and expanding his livestock enterprise.

“What we have learned will be applied directly to our business. We will correct our mistakes and expand, especially in poultry production,” he said, adding that the grant would be used to grow his farm and create employment.

Similarly, Usman Abdullahi Usman from Kano State said emerging among the top participants out of over a hundred attendees was both surprising and motivating.

“This support will help me expand my business and should encourage others to take such opportunities seriously and work hard,” he said.

Other winners include Nasiru Lawal from Sokoto State and Idris Umar from Zamfara State, while the additional female awardees are Fatima Sani from Sokoto and Hafsat Ololade Akin from Kaduna.

The programme brought together stakeholders across the livestock value chain, including farmers, financial institutions and development partners, as part of efforts to improve access to finance and promote sustainable agribusiness growth in the region.

By Uzair Adam

The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) says it is working to bridge the financing gap in Nigeria’s livestock agribusiness sector by connecting small businesses with financial institutions through capacity-building programmes.

Officials of the project disclosed this on Wednesday at the ongoing Regional SMEs/PFIs Capacity Building Programme on “Bridging the Livestock Agribusiness Finance Gap: Building Capacity for Inclusive Growth,” which started on Monday in Kano.

The programme, supported by the World Bank and the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) brought together participating financial institutions (PFIs), livestock-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs), insurance firms and other stakeholders from Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Speaking at the event, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, represented by the Value Chain Consultant, Heather Ronke Akanni, said the initiative was designed to expose financial institutions to opportunities in the livestock sector and help SMEs become investment-ready.

She explained that the livestock sector had long faced financing constraints due to limited documentation, weak business structures and perceived risks by financial institutions.

“Before now, the livestock sector has not been looked into so much, so banks and financial institutions were reluctant to finance livestock farmers,” Akanni said.

According to her, the programme provides a platform for SMEs and PFIs to engage directly, exchange ideas and better understand opportunities across livestock value chains, including production, processing, packaging, input supply and advisory services.

She added that similar regional engagements had already been held in the South-East, South-West and North-East, while the North-Central programme would be concluded in Kwara State.

Akanni stressed the need for SMEs to maintain proper financial records and separate personal and business accounts to improve access to credit.

“Some SMEs mix their private accounts with business accounts, making it difficult for banks to assess their businesses properly. Now they understand that business transactions should be clearly documented,” she said.

She further noted that some financial institutions had begun to show renewed interest in livestock financing after direct engagement with farmers under the programme.

“In Enugu, a pig farmer who had struggled for years to secure a loan eventually attracted the interest of banks after they visited his farm during the programme,” she added.

The State Project Coordinator of L-PRES in Zamfara State, Nasiru Muhammad, represented by the Animal Health Officer, Dr. Muktar Salihu Anka, said the project had made steady progress despite starting later than other participating states.

He explained that L-PRES had supported livestock farmers through capacity building, veterinary interventions, poultry development and infrastructure projects aimed at improving production systems.

“This workshop is going to bridge the gap between farmers and the PFIs because many livestock farmers have been asking questions about access to loans,” he said.

Also speaking, the Kaduna State L-PRES Coordinator, Dr. Shitu Salisu Hashim, described the training as essential in addressing concerns from financial institutions regarding livestock lending risks.

He said banks often worry about disease outbreaks, lack of collateral and weak cooperative structures among farmers.

“The importance of this training cannot be overemphasized because it balances the relationship between farmers and PFIs,” Hashim said.

He added that the programme introduced an Impact Credit Guarantee mechanism to reduce collateral challenges faced by farmers.

“If the collateral requirement is 100 per cent, the Impact Credit Guarantee can provide up to 70 per cent, while the farmer provides the remaining 30 per cent,” he explained.

Hashim also noted that the inclusion of non-interest financial institutions was expanding access to finance for livestock farmers in Northern Nigeria.

Representing the Kano State Project Coordinator, Dr. Salisu Muhammad Inuwa, Abubakar Muhammad Kabiru, Animal Husbandry Officer of L-PRES, said participants were taken on a field visit to key livestock value chain facilities in Kano State.

He said the team visited L&Z Company in Kumbotso Local Government Area, Milk Collection Centre in Kadawa, Garun Malam Local Government Area, Dawakin Kudu Cooperative Society Limited, and the International Cattle Market.

Kabiru explained that the visits were designed to expose participating financial institutions to real-life livestock business operations.

“We wanted the PFIs to see the opportunities available and understand how these businesses operate so they can confidently support beneficiaries with loans,” he said.

He added that SMEs from Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara participated in the programme to improve their capacity to access and manage financing.

One of the participants, Hajiya Halima Ahmad, said the programme had changed the mindset of many women in livestock business regarding access to loans.

She said many women previously avoided banks due to concerns over interest rates and limited knowledge of financial documentation.

“I have been in the poultry business for over 25 years, but I have never gone to a bank to request a loan,” she said.

“Most of the factors stopping us were the issue of interest because of religious implications. But this training has equipped us with the necessary skills on documentation and business management.”

She added that the presence of non-interest banks at the programme had encouraged participants to explore financing opportunities for business expansion.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Coordinating Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), a World Bank–supported programme, has commenced a two-day training for 200 livestock extension agents and advisory service providers on modern livestock production strategies.

The training, which began on Tuesday at the Kadawa Mechanisation Institute in Garun Malam Local Government Area, is aimed at equipping extension agents to support the adoption of improved breeds through selection, breeding and artificial insemination techniques, as well as the proper management of forage resources and feed formulation.

In his welcome address, the State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Salisu Muhammad Inuwa, described the training as a strategic step towards transforming the livestock sector in Kano.

He said the project aims to increase productivity, strengthen resilience, and promote sustainable practices that would uplift farmers and improve livelihoods.

Dr. Inuwa was quoted as saying,“You, the extension officers, are the bridge between research, policies, innovations, and the farmers in our communities.

The knowledge and skills you gain here will help our livestock keepers adopt improved breeds, better management practices, and modern feeding techniques.”

Speaking on behalf of the state government, Dr. Bashir Sunusi, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who represented the Commissioner, Dr. Danjuma Mahmood, said Kano has invested heavily in agriculture, including the recruitment of over 1,000 extension workers and expansion of irrigation facilities.

He noted that extension agents remain the frontline soldiers of agriculture and urged participants to take the training seriously.

“Extension work is not theory; it is practical. When extension agents are well trained and equipped, they can support farmers to achieve higher yields, improved livestock production, and better access to markets,” Sanusi said.

Also speaking, Gambo Isa Garko, an extension officer with L-PRES, said the project is expected to transform livestock production in the state, particularly in meat, milk, and poultry output.

He added that the initiative would also establish livestock centres where farmers can access feed, veterinary services, and advisory support.

According to him, L-PRES is building a database of livestock farmers through profiling, which will enable targeted interventions.

“We are going to transform Kadawa into a practical school for livestock where farmers will learn from one another through farmer-to-farmer interaction, which makes adoption of new practices easier,” he explained.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Ibrahim Adamu Aliyu commended the organisers for providing what he described as a timely and practical training.

He said the knowledge gained will enhance their capacity to deliver advisory services to farmers more effectively.

“This training is equipping us with modern techniques that will help us address the challenges faced by farmers, especially in adopting improved breeds, better feeding systems, and disease control measures.

“We are committed to taking this knowledge back to our communities and ensuring that it translates into tangible results for farmers,” Aliyu said.

The training includes lectures on extension strategies and models for reaching farmers, livestock production and breeding, artificial insemination, animal feed formulation, and pest and disease control, among others.