Livestock: Ministry establishes 164 collection centres to boost milk production

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, says the ministry has established 164 milk collection centres in the country to boost livestock production and animal health.

Kyari disclosed this in his presentation at the ministerial sectoral update in commemoration of President Bola Tinubu’s first anniversary in Abuja.

He said that the ministry also established animal health centres and veterinary hospital as well as eight cottage feed mills and seven livestock centres across the country.

Kyari said the ministry procured and distributed 14,056,467 doses of anthrax spore, foot and mouth diseases vaccines for risk-based vaccination exercise in 22 high-risk States located in the North-Central, North-West, North-East, South-West and South-South zones of the country.

He said that the ministry organised capacity building of livestock farmers on biosecurity and anti-microbial resistance to safeguard animal production.

Kyari said the ministry equally facilitated the fodder and pasture programme with distribution of 130 Residue crushers and development of 1,848.5 hectares of pastures across states for livestock consumption.

He said the ministry, in a pilot phase, handed over to 15 State governments, 760 tonnes of poultry feed and 70 of ruminant feed for distribution to small holder farmers.

The minister said another achievement of the ministry was the implementation of National Livestock Development Plan on the promotion of grazing reserves and ranching nationwide.

Kyari said in response to persistent food inflation in the country, some measures were undertaken to boost food production.

“We distributed 60,432metric tonnes of improved seeds, 887,255mt seedlings and 138nos. value kits.

“Also, 501,726 litres of agrochemicals, 62,328.5 metric tonnes of inorganic fertilizers, 1,000kg fungicide and 33,200nos equipment to farmers across different value chains to enhance production,” he said.

He said the ministry received 2.15 million bags of fertiliser from the Central Bank of Nigeria for distribution to farmers free of charge.

Kyari said there was also improvement of farmland security with provision of additional resources to agro rangers and other security agencies.

On agricultural produce export, he said there was an increase based on the intensification of efforts for the production and processing of soya beans, sesame and ginger among others.

He also said as part of the ministry’s achievements within one year, it strengthened mechanisation for massive food production.

Kyari said the Federal Government, through the ministry, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with John Deere and Tata Africa to assemble in-country and supply 10,000 tractors with implements and accessories at 2,000 units yearly.

“As well as 100 units of combine harvesters to support production,” he said.

(NAN)