By Adedapo Adesanya
The Kebbi State Government has commenced the distributions of domestic animals comprising sheep, goats and chickens to 2,778 herdsmen under the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme Aids.
The distribution was performed by the wife of Kebbi State Governor, Mrs Aisha Bagudu, at the flag-off ceremony in Fulani Ruga in Maiyama Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, the State Commissioner of Animal Health, Husbandry and Fisheries, Mr Aminu Dandigga, explained that the state government was committed to the diversification of the economy and increasing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.
According to him, “this programme is in partnership with Mass Literacy Programme and Almajiri Initiative (MALPAI) foundation and the 2,778 beneficiaries of the state government under the accelerated agricultural development scheme aids (livestock component).
“We have seven selected livestock value chains production enterprises, which are, sheep multiplication, goat multiplication, local chicken upgrading, homemade yoghurt for Fulani women and milk collection scheme, commercial pasture production and modern beekeeping.
“Beneficiaries of sheep will be given four sheep and one ram per beneficiary; and four goats and a he-goat for one beneficiary. Five local breeds of chickens and their feeds will be given to one beneficiary; among others.
“About 10 milk collectors have been provided with motorcycles and milk cans to collect and transport the fresh milk to livestock investigation and breeding centre at Bulasa, in Birnin Kebbi LGA for processing,” he said.
Mr Dandiga said the government was constructing yoghurt factory at Bulasa, in Birnin Kebbi, adding that if completed would generate 1,000 litres of milk every day.
“It is also expected to generate N1.6 billion every year,” he said.
He added that 500 beneficiaries would be empowered with animal feeds and N40,000.
“The repayment will be done with two litres of milk through the milk collectors who were earlier provided with motorcycles by the state government. We have 17 rooms whereby each is provided with two solar freezes, to store the unsold milk,” he said.
“In her remarks, Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Aisha Bagudu, said the herdsmen’s wives were trained on local yoghurt, with the expectation of impacting the knowledge to others in their settlements.
“We want to make the roaming around of herdsmen’s wives and daughters sedentary; and we want their customers to be meeting them in their settlements in order to buy their products, not necessarily taking them to markets.
“This is just like ranching system the Federal Government is trying to establish, and that is what the Governor is trying to do,” she said.
On his part, the Chairman of Maiyama Local Government, Mr Zayyanu Bello, commended the wife of the Governor for her passion and efforts to better the lives of pastoralist communities in the state.
“We also commended Governor Bagudu for his agricultural drive and efforts to ensure that 2,500 hectares of land are being cultivated here in Maiyama in order to diversify our economy,” he said.
He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the gesture so as to increase their economic status and better the lives of their families.
Modupe Gbadeyanka