The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Agency (KSAPD), says it has inoculated 1,364,612 animals against zoonoses in the 2021 Livestock Vaccination Campaign in the state.

KSAPD Project Coordinator, Ibrahim Garba-Muhammad, stated this at the inauguration of one-day workshop and presentation of empowerment packages to beneficiaries of Cattle Fattening Empowerment Scheme, on Thursday in Kano.

Mr Garba-Muhammad said the exercise was conducted with support of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science and Promex Multi-Services Nigeria Ltd.

He added that the execise gulped over N80 million during the period under review.

“The importance of livestock sector as backbone of the food system and a contributor to food security, poverty alleviation and agricultural development in Nigeria cannot be over emphasised,” he said.

The coordinator said the vaccination would assist towards addressing public health concerns arising from consumption of livestock products.

According to him, KSADP will construct a livestock reference laboratory, invest in commercial fodder production, milk collection centres, among others.

The project, he said, in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Animal Sciences designed a scheme to encourage youths to get more engage in meat production to achieve food security.

He said the state government had already allocated 10 hectares of land to the institute at Kadawa to serve as demonstration plot for fodder production.

Also, Abiola Fola-Bolumole, representative of the institute and Promex Multi-Services Nigeria Ltd, described the partnership as a major milestone, adding that each of the 14 participating youths would take home a cow and empowerment package for feeding.

He stressed the importance of investing in livestock fattening, adding that it provides food, create job opportunities and reduce poverty.

In his remarks, Junaidu Yakubu-Muhammad, Managing Director, Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), said the state government had adopted proactive measures towards improving livestock breeding.

He said the gesture was in line with the federal government’s livestock transformation plan.

One of the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Musa, appreciated KSADP and its partners for founding them worthy of participation in the programme.

Mr Musa said the workshop would help them to become self-reliant.

(NAN)