In a bid to revolutionise livestock farming across the state, the Ondo State Government has launched the distribution of 165 fodder choppers to livestock farmers to enhance feed quality and improve overall animal productivity.
The initiative, under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), is a collaborative effort between the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with support from the World Bank.
Fodder choppers are essential tools designed to cut forage materials like grass, hay, and straw into smaller pieces to boost intake and nutrient absorption in animals.
Speaking at the official flag-off held in Akure, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, described the intervention as a game-changer in livestock management.
“The distribution of the choppers is a practical and impactful intervention to enhance forage utilisation. These machines would help to reduce wastage, improve intake and significantly optimise the nutritional value of available feed resources,” the governor stated.
He also acknowledged the Federal Government and the World Bank for their crucial support in the development of livestock infrastructure, marketing hubs, and capacity-building programmes for farmers under the L-PRES initiative.
Governor Aiyedatiwa urged the beneficiaries to handle the machines responsibly, noting that the state was making steady progress towards achieving self-sufficiency in animal protein production and livestock development.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola, said the event marked a pivotal moment in the state’s agricultural transformation efforts.
She commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to food security and rural development.
Corroborating the significance of the initiative, the State Coordinator of L-PRES, Olufemi Adeogun, emphasised the urgency of effective fodder management amid changing weather conditions.
“This intervention is timely. Fodder management is central to sustainable livestock production, particularly in the face of erratic climate patterns,” he noted.
The initiative is expected to empower farmers with the tools to maximise feed efficiency, improve livestock health, and strengthen food systems across Ondo State.
