Kwara State reforms aim to boost livestock farming
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The Kwara State Government in Nigeria is working to transform its livestock industry to improve food security and create jobs for farmers and herders.
Commissioner Oloruntoyosi Thomas detailed the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s efforts to move from traditional livestock keeping to a commercially viable system. The government has focused on improving animal health through vaccinations, treating over 238,000 animals, and training farmers in modern techniques. These interventions have already yielded measurable results.
Average milk production per cow is projected to rise from 274.5 litres annually to 352.2 litres by 2025, a 28.3 percent increase. Cattle and sheep carcass weights have also increased significantly, by 41.3 percent and 66.7 percent respectively. The state has invested in infrastructure like solar-powered water sources, improved animal housing, and a rehabilitated veterinary laboratory in Ilorin. The government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project has profiled nearly 9,000 people involved in livestock value chains and engaged with communities.
They have also begun tracking climate-smart farming practices, recording 34 percent adoption among targeted farmers and installing weather stations to support planning. While acknowledging ongoing challenges like farmer-herder conflicts and limited access to services, the commissioner called for increased private sector investment to fully develop the sector.
