The Ondo State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project has trained 100 livestock farmers on modern fodder production techniques aimed at boosting productivity and strengthening commercial livestock farming across Ondo State.
The State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Mr Olufemi Adeogun, disclosed this on Tuesday at a two-day capacity-building workshop held in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.
The training, themed “Capacity Building on Fodder Production and Value Addition, Including Sustainable Hydroponic Fodder Production and Crop Residue Treatment and Utilisation for Sustainable Livestock Production,” drew participants selected from the three senatorial districts of the state.
Adeogun explained that the beneficiaries were chosen as lead farmers who would, in turn, transfer the knowledge acquired to other livestock farmers in their respective districts.
He added that each senatorial district would undergo a two-day training programme.
According to him, the initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the L-PRES project to improve livestock output, build resilience against climate-related shocks, encourage value addition and enhance rural livelihoods.
He noted that the training focuses on improving feed availability and quality through fodder cultivation, conservation methods such as hay and silage production, and proper treatment and utilisation of crop residues.
Describing the intervention as timely, Adeogun said livestock farmers in the state continue to grapple with seasonal feed shortages, rising costs of commercial feeds, poor utilisation of crop residues and the impact of climate variability.
“These challenges have continued to undermine productivity, profitability and resilience among agro-pastoral communities,” he said.
He urged the participants to serve as knowledge ambassadors by adopting the demonstrated techniques and replicating them within their communities.
“These are tested, cost-effective technologies that can be implemented immediately to ensure steady feed supply all year round. L-PRES will sustain monitoring, strengthen extension services and scale up successful practices to transform livestock production in Ondo State,” he added.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Foluke Daramola, commended L-PRES for the initiative and declared the training open.
He expressed optimism that the programme would address feed-related challenges confronting livestock farmers and improve both the quantity and quality of animal feed in the state.
“As a ministry, we remain committed to reinforcing extension services, promoting farmer cooperatives and facilitating access to inputs and markets. We will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to expand successful models across the state,” he said.
In their separate remarks, the State Chairman of the Pig Farmers Association, Mrs Mercy Williams, and the State Vice Chairman of the Sheep and Goat Farmers Association, Prof. Josiah Babatola, lauded the project for the intervention, describing it as a major boost to livestock production in the state.