The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has proposed a strategic partnership with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to boost livestock production.

The partnership would also create employment and improve livelihoods in rural communities across its 10 member states.

The Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, made the proposal on Friday in Minna when the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar-Maiha, paid a courtesy visit to the commission.

Mr Sadiq-Yelwa said the proposed collaboration would leverage N-HYPPADEC’s grassroots presence and community-based interventions to complement the policy direction and technical expertise of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

He described livestock development as a “natural and strategic area of convergence” between the two institutions, stressing that livestock production remained an important component of the livelihoods of communities within the commission’s areas of operation.

According to him, N-HYPPADEC has already commenced interventions in poultry production, animal fattening and small-ruminant rearing through its Youth Transformation Programme.

He added that the commission was also supporting women in agriculture through training and advocacy on alternative feed formulation, value addition and other aspects of agricultural production.

The managing director proposed the establishment of a Renewed Hope Livestock Development Programme, designed to adopt an integrated and community-based approach to livestock development.

He said the proposed programme would cover Community Livestock Farm Settlements, an Every-Household Poultry Initiative, Community-Based Feed Formulation Centres and Community Abattoir Development.

He said other areas would include farmer-herder community engagement and advocacy, pastoral and nomadic education, water monitoring and channelling, as well as weather monitoring.

Mr Sadiq-Yelwa stressed that the proposed partnership was not intended to duplicate the responsibilities of the Ministry, but to complement its efforts by deploying N-HYPPADEC’s grassroots structures, community platforms, infrastructure interventions and implementation capacity.

He identified pasture and fodder development, feed production and technical support, access to affordable financing, youth and women empowerment, and the development of modern community abattoirs as key areas for collaboration.

Mr Sadiq-Yelwa further proposed that the partnership should commence with the selection of specific N-HYPPADEC communities for pilot projects, with successful interventions subsequently scaled up across the commission’s 10 member states.

He explained that N-HYPPADEC’s mandate included improving the socio-economic wellbeing of communities affected by hydroelectric power activities through infrastructure development, livelihood support, agriculture, ecological management, youth and women empowerment and flood mitigation.

Mr Sadiq-Yelwa expressed appreciation to the minister for visiting the commission, saying the engagement provided an opportunity for both institutions to deepen their understanding and identify practical areas of collaboration.

He said the proposed partnership would help make livestock production a more sustainable source of food, income, employment and economic empowerment for rural communities across N-HYPPADEC’s areas of operation.

Earlier, the Minister of Livestock Development, underscored the importance of partnering with critical government agencies to promote livestock development, particularly poultry farming, in rural communities.

Mr Mukhtar-Maiha said the 10 states covered by N-HYPPADEC had significant potential for poultry production and could contribute substantially to the growth of the national economy if properly harnessed.

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among relevant institutions to unlock the potential of rural communities, create employment opportunities and strengthen food production.

The minister said his ministry was committed to working with N-HYPPADEC and other relevant agencies to develop sustainable livestock production initiatives that would positively impact rural communities.

Mr Mukhtar-Maiha commended the commission for its grassroots interventions and expressed optimism that the proposed partnership would provide a platform for translating livestock development policies into practical benefits for the people.

(NAN)