Fulani herdsmen in the Doguwa Local Government Area of Kano State have appealed to the state government to support them with improved animal feeds.

They said such an invaluable gesture by the state government would bolster the milk production of their herds.

The head (Ardo) of the herdsmen in the area, Ahmadu Sulaiman, made the appeal on Friday at the Falgore Cattle Market.

Mr Sulaiman said that over 5,000 cattle in the area were under his watch, adding, ”However, they are in dire need of feeds, including offals and other nutritious feeds.”

“As we speak, over 5,000 cattle of ours cannot feed well as the rainy season is over, hence the need for the government to support us with nutritious feeds that will fatten them towards improved milk production,” he added.

The herdsmen leader commended the state government for providing a veterinary clinic at the market through the Kaduna State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), which he said had enhanced the health of their animals.

Mr Sulaiman also lauded the government for ensuring regular vaccination of their cattle against diseases that could cause mortality.

“All these gestures being rolled out for our cattle by the government have engendered peace and stability in this area because our people, especially the youths, are gainfully engaged,” he said.

Mr Sulaiman, however, urged KSADP to involve his fellow herdsmen in its enlightenment campaign on the importance of its activities to livestock development.

“This is because our people prefer to receive the message from their tribesmen who talk to them in the manner and language they understand,” he added.

The KSADP is constructing and equipping five milk collection centres across milk-producing communities, including the one at the market.

Each centre has a 550-litre milk storage tank and accessories – a solar-powered borehole, toilet facilities, solar lighting and an office.

When completed, each centre will be handed over to a management committee that will handle it as an independent business entity.

(NAN)