The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PReS) program, a World Bank-assisted initiative, has officially commenced in Edo State, with the goal of enhancing livestock productivity, commercialization, and resilience against climate change.
The program, which spans 22 states across Nigeria, is designed to uplift local livestock farmers and improve the overall value chain of the industry, significantly contributing to food security in the country.
Edo State Project Coordinator for L-PReS, Ikpikhumi Betsy, explained that the core objective of the program is to elevate the livestock farming sector, increasing productivity while addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
“The aim is to take Nigerian livestock farmers to a higher level in their business, ensuring the sustainability of the industry and improving food security, especially within the animal value chain,” she stated.
Betsy made these remarks at the opening of a one-day roundtable discussion themed “Incidence of Farmer-Herder Conflict: Strategic Learning and Practice” held in Benin, Edo State’s capital.
The event brought together stakeholders from all 18 local government areas of the state, providing a platform for discussions on resolving conflicts and fostering community resilience within the livestock sector.
Betsy further emphasized that Edo State is particularly fortunate to be the only state in the South-South region benefiting from this project, noting that L-PReS is focusing on ensuring that only active, practicing livestock farmers are enlisted.
“We are committed to profiling farmers, visiting their farms, and ensuring they meet the criteria before being included in the project,” she said.
The program targets key areas such as poultry, piggery, and ruminant farming (sheep and goats), aiming to improve both animal productivity and well-being, while minimizing diseases.
In addition to benefiting farmers, the L-PReS program also takes a holistic approach to empower all stakeholders within the livestock value chain. This includes producers, processors, transporters, and marketers, all of whom will benefit from the program’s interventions, helping to boost the overall efficiency and sustainability of the industry.
The roundtable discussion, moderated by Mr. Ebruke Onajite Esike, the Executive Director of Global Peace Development and lead consultant to L-PReS, was focused on addressing the persistent issue of farmer-herder conflicts.
Esike explained that the session was organized to gather critical data for early warning systems and to build capacity for community resilience, ensuring the effectiveness of the L-PReS project.
“The roundtable provided a platform for stakeholders to share their experiences and strategies for addressing the challenges they face in their communities. The information gathered will contribute to the development of a policy brief, which will guide future actions in the livestock sector,” Esike said.
