The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRESS) Project in Zamfara State has procured various machines for processing livestock feed, including crushers for millet stalks, maize residues, sugarcane waste, and other crop by-products.
The machines will be distributed to pastoralists to enhance feed processing and storage.
The State Coordinator of the project, Alhaji Nasiru Mohammed, disclosed this at the end of a two-day training on Business Models for Pasture Development, held in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
Alhaji Mohammed revealed that the Zamfara State Government, in collaboration with L-PRESS, has also procured fodder seeds such as lablab and vetch, which are already in stock and will be distributed to pastoralists who commit to implementing the programme.
He highlighted the importance of fodder crops, noting that, in some countries farmers have abandoned traditional crops such as sorghum, maize, and millet due to low profitability, choosing instead to focus on fodder production.
According to him, fodder crops contain essential proteins and carbohydrates that significantly enhance milk and meat production.
Alhaji Mohammed cited examples from parts of Ethiopia, where farmers specialize exclusively in fodder cultivation as a viable economic model.
The coordinator assured participants that those who apply the knowledge gained from the training would discover new income-generating opportunities capable of improving livestock productivity.
Alhaji Mohammed emphasized that L-PRESS cannot operate effectively without key actors in the animal value chain, especially Makiyaya (pastoralists), whom he described as critical stakeholders in the project’s operations in Zamfara State.
He commended the training facilitators, particularly the team led by Dr. Ibrahim Yusuf, for their professionalism and commitment in ensuring a smooth and impactful exercise.
He also appreciated the participants for honouring the invitation and actively participating throughout the two-day training.
The coordinator further expressed appreciation to various livestock-related associations and groups, including Miyetti Allah, Fataken Shanu, the Amalgamated Association of Cattle Dealers, Producers and Processors in Zamfara State, LIPAN, Yabanya, NAWIYA, as well as individual livestock farmers, for their support and participation.
He also praised L-PRESS staff for their dedication, stressing that the project’s success is a collective effort built on teamwork rather than individual contributions.
He acknowledged the role of journalists and security agencies for their continued support in information dissemination and the protection of L-PRESS activities.
Alhaji Mohammed urged participants to put into practice what they had learned during the training.
He observed that although some participants had long been involved in livestock farming, many were previously unaware of the economic value of certain animal feeds.
He explained that not all grasses and crop residues are beneficial, but the training enabled participants to distinguish between useful and non-useful feed resources.
He assured participants that L-PRESS would closely monitor beneficiaries to ensure proper implementation of the training outcomes, urging them to apply the knowledge gained so that others could learn from their success and benefit from the programme.
In their various contribution, some participants expressed profound gratitude to the L-PRESS for the impactful training which they said it would go along way in improving feed processing among others in the value chain.
