The Ondo State Livestock Productivity Resilience Support Project, on Tuesday, trained 100 livestock farmers on fodder production to increase productivity and enhance commercialisation in the state.

Olufemi Adeogun, L–PRES state project coordinator, disclosed this at a two-day capacity building programme organised by the project in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore LGA.

The theme was ‘Capacity building on fodder production and value addition, including sustainable hydroponic fodder production and crop residue treatment and utilisation for sustainable livestock production across the state’.

Mr Adeogun, who said the 100 trainees were selected from the three senatorial districts of the state as lead farmers to retrain others, explained that each senatorial district would be undergoing training for two days.

The SPC explained that the training aligned with L-PRES’ broader objectives of enhancing livestock productivity, strengthening resilience to climate shocks, promoting value addition, and improving rural incomes.

“This training focuses on improving feed availability and quality through fodder establishment, conservation techniques such as hay and silage production, and safe crop residue treatment. This intervention is both strategic and timely for the development of the livestock sector in Ondo state.

“Our livestock farmers continue to face persistent challenges, particularly seasonal feed shortages, rising costs of commercial feed, under-utilisation of crop residues, and increasing climate variability.

“These constraints significantly affect productivity, profitability and resilience across our agropastoral communities,” Mr Adeogun said.

He admonished the trainees to serve as knowledge multipliers, adopt the techniques demonstrated, and establish practical examples in their communities.

“These are proven, low-cost technologies that farmers can adopt immediately to stabilise feed supply throughout the year. L-PRES will continue to support monitoring, extension linkages, and scaling of successful practices to transform livestock production in Ondo state,” he said.

Also, Leye Akinola, commissioner for agriculture and forestry, represented by Foluke Daramola, permanent secretary of the ministry, commended L-PRES for supporting the livestock farmers in ensuring a reliable feed supply throughout the year.

Mr Akinola, who declared the programme open, said the training would address challenges facing livestock farmers and help them to adopt and increase the quantity and quality of livestock feed in the state.

“This training will help reduce the seasonal feed shortage, poor feed quality, and under-utilisation of crop residues, which continue to limit livestock productivity and farmers’ incomes.

“As a ministry, we are committed to strengthening extension services, promoting farmer group organisation, and facilitating access to input and markets. We will continue to work with partners to scale successful practices across the state,” he said.

Similarly, Mercy Williams, state chairman of the Pig Farmers Association, and Josiah Babatola, state vice chairman of the Sheep and Goat Farmers Association, applauded L-PRES for the training.

The duo said the initiative would go a long way toward addressing the challenges faced by livestock farmers and increasing their production in the state.

The poultry, pig, sheep and goat farmers were trained at the capacity-building programme.

(NAN)