. To upgrade Benue swine, crop improvement project
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, says the Federal Government will clear 500 hectares of land in Benue State, to promote ranching and dairy production.
Maiha disclosed this during his visit to the Benue Livestock Investigation and Breeding Centre, Raav, Gwer East Local Government Area of the state.
He said the 2,400 hectares allocated to the centre was sufficient for ranching and dairy, adding that the Federal Government would begin with clearing 500 hectares.
He regretted that the centre, with over 2,400 hectares, currently has only 37 animals, and all its facilities are dilapidated and need full rehabilitation.
“We will form a small committee to suggest ways of moving this place forward.
“We aim to establish two enterprises here: one for dairy, the other for ranching.
“2,400 hectares are sufficient, so we will initially clear 500 hectares to receive pasture before the rains this year,” he assured.
The minister said the committee would propose facilities such as pens, isolation centres, maternity pens, dips and other support structures including housing and chalets.
He explained that the centre would collaborate with Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, for research purposes.
Speaking during the visit, Dr Aondoakaa Asambe, Director-General, Benue Bureau for Livestock Development, said this aligns with the state government’s vision for the Bureau’s creation.
Asambe said the state government believes ranches will address security challenges and allow farmers to return to their ancestral lands.
He said the state government took a pragmatic step to build a reliable livestock industry that brings economic benefits to the people.
He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for supporting the Bureau in achieving its livestock development mandate.
The state government believes ranches will address security challenges and allow farmers to return to their ancestral lands.
Swine and Crop Improvement
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister earlier visited the Benue Swine and Crop Improvement Project, at Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yadev, Gboko LGA, and the International Cattle Market, Makurdi.
Maiha revealed that the Federal Government will upgrade the Benue State Swine and Crop Improvement Project its to full capacity.
He said that already the government had planned to operate an integrated piggery farming and processing initiative in the state.
The minister, who expressed satisfaction with the existing project, also said the initiative was noble and it would be upgraded and sustained to satisfy the people.
According to him, the farm would be upgraded to operate at its full capacity of 3000 pigs, as opposed to the 79 pigs that presently exist on the farm.
“It will be a reproductive centre where piglets will be produced for outgrowers to buy,” he said.
He said when upgraded, the farm would encourage more genetic productions instead of the three types of breeds, large white, duroc and landrace, available in the farm.
The minister, however, said that the Federal Government would also encourage the establishment of a small modular processing unit where pig meat can be processed and packaged for sale.
“We are going to leverage technology here; we are going to bring different genetics to crossbreed with our local ones so that we have faster, bigger-growing pigs.
“We are also going to use this place as a centre for learning. We’ll ensure availability of feeds; we need cooperatives for the outgrower system so that they can be fully integrated into the livestock business.
“Benue is very active in piggery. The government will also support the revitalisation of the poultry sector in the state.
“Benue is a large agricultural state; it is the food basket of the nation, so we are also going to focus on the development of pastures in the state,” he pledged.
In his address, Dr Asambe said pigs have both cultural and economic value for the people of the state.
Asambe said the state government would utilise the Federal Government’s support to maximise the full potential of the livestock sector. (NAN)
