The federal government says it will upgrade the Benue swine and crop improvement project in Yadev town of Gboko Local Government Area to full capacity.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, stated this on Saturday when he visited the project site at Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yadev.

Mr Maiha said the government had already planned to operate an integrated piggery farming and processing initiative in the state.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the existing project and said the initiative was noble and it would be upgraded and sustained to satisfy the people.

According to him, the farm would be upgraded to operate at its full capacity of 3,000 pigs instead of the 79 presently on the farm.

“It will be a reproductive centre where piglets will be produced for out-growers to buy,’’ he said.

He said when upgraded, the farm would encourage more genetic production instead of the three types of breeds, large white, duroc and landrace, available on the farm.

The minister, however, said the federal government would also encourage the establishment of a small modular processing unit where pig meat can be processed and packaged for sale.

“We are going to leverage technology here; we are going to bring different genetics to crossbreed with our local ones so that we have faster, bigger-growing pigs.

“We are also going to use this place as a centre for learning. We’ll ensure the availability of feeds; we need cooperatives for the out-grower system so that they can be fully integrated into the livestock business.

“Benue is very active in piggery. The government will also support the revitalisation of the poultry sector in the state.

“Benue is a largely agricultural state; it is the food basket of the nation, so we are also going to focus on the development of pastures in the state,” he pledged.

In his address, Aondoakaa Asambe, director-general of the Benue Bureau for Livestock Development, Transboundary and Animal Control, said pigs have cultural and economic value for the people of the state.

Mr Asambe said the state government would utilise the federal government’s support to maximise the full potential of the livestock sector.

(NAN)