Winnie Lai- Solarin, Director, Animal Husbandry Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated this on the sideline of training for farmers on utilisation of low-grade grain on Monday in Abuja.

She told journalists that the training on low-cost feed production, using alternative feed ingredients, was essential in increasing their profits.

Ms Lai- Solarin said it would also reduce the competition rate between men and animals for conventional feed ingredients.

She said that this would uplift their businesses as feed millers and livestock farmers.

The director said that silage-making and utilisation was one of such knowledge that could make a difference.

Ms Lai- Solarin said that the Ministry of Agriculture had, in the past, initiated and carried out several support programmes to give lasting support to the farmers.

“As we know, most feed mills in the country have a low production capacity. This is mainly due to scarcity and the high cost of feed ingredients.

“Many farmers have been thrown out of business, and some are involved in many sharp practices that undermine the effectiveness of their activities on the environment,“ she said.

Ms Lai-Solarin said that subsidising the cost of feed production will increase farmers’ profit and sustain their interest.

She said alternative feed resources for climate-smart animal feed production would reduce the cost of feed production.

“The ministry is aware of the plight of farmers, especially livestock farmers and is determined to support them to improve their production process to achieve feed and food security,” she said.

(NAN)