The Yobe government has paid N80 million as its counterpart fund for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) from 2023 to 2026.

Adama Madaki, the state’s coordinator of the project, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Damaturu on Monday.

She explained that L-PRES was a six-year World Bank-supported project, jointly funded by the bank, the state, and benefiting communities.

“The project is currently being implemented in 20 states of the federation. There are certain value chains that L-PRES is promoting, and they include sheep and goats, dairy, beef, poultry, piggery, and honey,” Ms Madaki said.

The coordinator said that the state expressed interest in cattle, sheep, and goat value chains due to their comparative advantage.

She stated that the project’s implementation commenced in December 2022, with the objectives of improving livestock productivity, enhancing commercialisation, and improving the resilience of targeted livestock production systems.

Mr Madaki also said the project had acquired 700 crop residue crushers and 20 solar-powered refrigerators, which would soon be distributed to livestock farmers and butchers, respectively.

The coordinator stated that over 71 solar-powered boreholes have been sunk at grazing reserves, stock routes, and pastoralist communities across the state under the project.

She said L-PRES had established five pasture demonstration sites in Lawankalam, Geidam, Jakusko, Kanda, and Danchuwa towns to enhance pasture development.

Ms Madaki said the project had rehabilitated veterinary clinics and furnished them with laboratory equipment in Potiskum, Nguru, and Damaturu.

The coordinator said artificial insemination centres were established in Nguru and Jakusko, adding that cold chain facilities were installed in Damaturu veterinary clinic for the storage of vaccines.

She listed other activities of L-PRES to include building a modern livestock market in Geidam and slaughtering slabs in various locations.

Ms Madaki said that no fewer than 600 veterinary doctors, livestock farmers, and environmentalists were trained by L-PRES in animal husbandry, waste management, and conflict resolution, among others.

The coordinator commended Governor Mai Mala Buni of the state for his unwavering support toward the successful implementation of the project.

(NAN)