The Borno government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has trained 100 extension agents as part of measures to boost livestock production in the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of the training in Maiduguri on Wednesday, the programme manager of the Borno State Agricultural Development Programme, Ibrahim Izge, said the training was under the World Bank Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-Press).

Mr Izge said the training was timely now that the state was recovering from the long years of insurgency, which grossly affected its agricultural sector.

The programme manager said that the Governor Babagana Zulum administration remained committed to revitalising the vital livestock sector for socioeconomic development and improved nutrition in line with its recovery plan.

In his remarks, a national extension officer facilitating the training, Dr Umar Suleiman, said the project was a six-year intervention with the objective of enhancing production of cattle, sheep and goats through modern practices to boost income and livelihood of farmers.

“It will stimulate commercial activities by supporting the value chain in the livestock sector as well as enhance the resilience of the sector to various challenges including climate change,” he said.

In his address, the state project coordinator, Makinta Ali, said participants were drawn from key ministries, departments and agencies as well as 19 local government councils known for livestock production.

While stressing the crucial role of agricultural extension agents in disseminating knowledge to farmers, Mr Ali tasked the trainees to utilise the knowledge acquired in achieving the project objectives of transforming the livestock sector, particularly in targeted livestock-dependent communities.

In her remarks, animal health officer, Ya’kolo Abba-Aji, said the training would go a long way in ensuring results oriented services in meeting the project objectives.

(NAN)