Lack of capital, skills block farmers’ access to benefits-Kwara governor

Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah  Ahmed

Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah  Ahmed   has identified lack of capital, relevant skills  and the absence of adequate information as factors hindering farmer abilities to derive greater benefits from animal production.
He said this at the 42nd Annual Conference, the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP) held recently at the Landmark University’, Omu-Aran, Kwara state.
 

The governor who was represented at the event by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Bamidele Adegoke called for a proper education of farmers on opportunities derivable from livestock production based on adequate information for them to succeed and suggested the adoption of valued chain concept as a way of linking producers with marketers to achieve the desired objective of the NSAP.

The Vice-Chancellor, Landmark University, Prof. Aize Obayan, said that the organization of the conference was indeed timely for the desired transformation envisioned for animal production in the country and the agriculture sector in general.

 She said such a gathering of experts at the conference and  the rich experiences possessed, would create viable solutions to animal production system problems and find solutions to the burden of food insecurity and agriculture production in general.

The president of Nigerian Society of Animal production (NSAP) Prof. Augustine Ani, said the society would continue to influence positively, government’s policies and programmes, especially, in the field of animal production

An animal science student, Bamidele ogulusi  told Foodfarm News  that inconsistent government policies was responsible for the lack of standard of the Nigerian animal production system, urging that government needed to create policies that would be favorable to farmers. Bamidele added that policy continuity was also key to animal production in the country to meet  world standard.

A stakeholder, Mr Okeleke Oyibo said  that in order to make our animal production system in Nigerian 100 percent functional, there should be establishment of more research institutes for animal agriculture and that government needed to initiate actions towards settlement of issues of existing grazing reserves to further help to position the sector.

Other stakeholders present at the event also said that government should proffer real solutions to herdsmen- farmers’ clash, the issue of cattle rustlers and climate change as problems facing animal production.

 The event was also used to honor agricultural leaders, captain of industries, royal fathers, academics, students, and the admission of 35 fellows into the Nigerian Society for Animal production.

 Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and seven others were given awards for their contributions to the development of agriculture in the state; for sustaining the legacy of his immediate predecessor, with regards to Shonga Farms Holding Limited and the Zimbabwean Farms Initiative in poultry and dairy production in Shonga, Edu local government area of Kwara state.

CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY AWARDS Mr. Leye Alayande, managing director, Hybrid Feeds, Kaduna, Kaduna state- was given award for high professional competence and excellence support of animal agriculture in general through the supply of quality feeds Mr. Ayo Alade, managing director, Dayntee Farms Limited, Amberi, Kwara state- was recognised for being good role model for youths with passion for animal agriculture value chain and agripreneurship. Alhaji Aremu Aromokeye, Managing director, Aromokeye Pharmaceutical Company Limited ilorin, Kwara state. Shonga Farms Holding Limited represented by Mr. Adebayo .A. Sangobiyi, General Manager, Shonga Farms Holdings Limited, Ilorin Kwara state- was given award for the management of commercial animal agriculture practice in Shonga, Edu local government area of Kwara state.

ROYAL FATHERS’ AWARDS His royal highness, Oba Charles Ibitoye, the Olomu of Omu Aran, Irepodun LGA Kwara state- was awarded for creating enabling and peaceful environment for both community living and education in Omu Aran, Irepodun LGA, Kwara State. His royal highness, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, the Olofa of Offa- was given award for being a royal father with passion for animal agriculture demonstrated through his huge investment in Yammfy Farms Nig. Ltd. Ilemona, Oyun LGA, Kwara state.

ACADEMIC STUDENT AWARD Mr. Moyebi, Temidayo John- was awarded for being the best student moving into final year in animal science at Landmark University during the 2016/2017 academic section.

The event which lasted for one week, brought together university professors, researchers, students, government agencies, research institutes, board of trustee members and other relevant authorities who came together to brainstorm on a way forward to creating a lasting solution to the challenges facing the country’s animal production.

LACK OF MARKET ENCOURAGES EGG GLUT.

Egg eating is a major source of protein to everyone in Nigeria, although we have not been able to meet up with the demand of eggs in country and we still import into the country, which has recently lead to egg glut in the country as the price of egg as also fallen drastically to a price at which the poultry farmers or sell in selling at a ridiculous price due to lack of market. Prof Foodfarmnew visited an egg farm farm in Ibadan, at the balogun market who confirmed that the price of egg have fallen drastically Forlan Egg Farm