Ifelodun LGA Empowers 500 Livestock Farmers with Goat Fattening, Feed Production Skills to Curb Clashes
In a bid to reduce clashes between farmers and herders, over 500 livestock farmers from 15 wards in Ifelodun local government area, Kwara State, have undergone training in goat fattening and animal feed production.
The step-down training was organised by Ifelodun local government in partnership with the Livestock Producers and Ranchers Empowerment Support (L-PRES) at Idofian.
Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, represented by Ganiyu Afolabi, a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly from Omupo Constituency, highlighted the importance of the initiative.
He stated, “This training will enable farmers to produce animal feed from waste, helping to reduce the challenges faced by farmers in our community.”
He encouraged participants to seize the opportunity to expand their businesses.
Chairman of Ifelodun local government, Abdulrasheed Yusuf, explained the benefits to the community, saying, “This initiative will provide ready-made jobs and significantly lower the cost of feed for livestock farmers.”
He added that the local government is working with stakeholders to improve rural infrastructure, including the provision of water and farming support.
Yusuf revealed that the council now operates seven functional tractors dedicated to grassroots farming efforts and promised more training programmes to foster self-reliance among rural dwellers.
Oba Ahmed Babalola, the Elesie of Igbaja, expressed gratitude to the organisers and pledged the full support of traditional institutions to ensure the success of the programme. He emphasised the importance of the training in mitigating conflicts between farmers and herders.
L-PRES Coordinator for Kwara State, Olusoji Oyawoye, urged youths to embrace agriculture as a means of self-sufficiency.
He remarked, “This training and empowerment will ease the financial burden on farmers by enabling them to produce their own animal feed. Trainees must commit fully to gain the skills necessary for personal and community development.”
This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards fostering peace and economic growth in Kwara’s rural communities.
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