By Muhammad Sani Muazu
A two-day training workshop for extension officers on modern technologies to enhance various livestock value chains concluded in Bauchi yesterday.
The program, organized by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) Bauchi State Coordinating Office, aimed to equip state-level extension workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve livestock production and processing in the state.
The event saw the participation of agricultural extension officers across Bauchi’s 20 local government areas.
In his opening remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Simon Madugu Yalams, emphasized the importance of the workshop in advancing the livestock sector.
He acknowledged the collaboration between the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), the National Coordinating Office (NCO), and the World Bank, which jointly organized the event.
“This training will have a direct impact on the state, the country at large, and the livestock sector specifically,” Prof. Yalams stated. “It provides a platform for cross-fertilization of ideas among participants, which will lead to significant improvements in livestock productivity and the overall well-being of beneficiary communities.”
He commended the Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, for his continued support of agricultural development in the state. Prof. Yalams also highlighted key objectives of the training, which include improving the technical capacity of extension officers in animal husbandry and health practices, promoting farmer field schools, and utilizing digital guides and media to disseminate improved livestock practices.
Dr. Sulaiman Umar, the project’s extension services specialist, who represented the National Project Coordinator, Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar, outlined the goals of the workshop. “The training is part of a six-year project by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with support from the World Bank,” he said. “It focuses on enhancing value chains in the livestock sector, specifically in beef, dairy, sheep, and goat production. We are working to build the capacity of extension officers so they can help deliver project initiatives at the grassroots level.”
Dr. Umar further noted that the workshop served as a platform to keep extension workers updated on the latest technologies and innovations in animal husbandry. “Agriculture today is all about value chains,” he added. “The training sessions cover all aspects of production, processing, and marketing, ensuring that our officers are equipped to guide farmers on best practices.”
In his welcome address, the Bauchi State Project Coordinator, Malam Musa Adamu One, reiterated the role of extension services as the foundation for increasing agricultural productivity. “This training aims to improve the knowledge and skills of our extension officers in modern technologies that enhance livestock value chains,” Malam Musa said. He thanked the Executive Governor of Bauchi State for providing an enabling environment for the project’s implementation and urged participants to make the most of the opportunity.
The training featured lectures, practical demonstrations, and group discussions led by resource persons, including Professor Muhammad Abubakar Kobi from the Department of Animal Production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi. Prof. Kobi delivered a lecture on good husbandry practices for beef and dairy cattle, walking participants through the various stages of animal husbandry, from birth to slaughter.
“The key to successful livestock farming lies in following best practices from the beginning,” Prof. Kobi stated. “Proper feeding, sanitation, and animal welfare are critical, especially for dairy cattle, to prevent diseases and ensure productivity.”
The L-PRES training workshop is expected to yield long-term benefits by enhancing the expertise of extension officers, who will, in turn, transfer knowledge to farmers across Bauchi in State, thereby boosting livestock productivity and contributing to the overall development of the agricultural sector.
Discover more from Albarka Radio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
