In a bold move to promote inclusivity and economic empowerment, the Gombe State Government, through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, has trained 684 livestock farmers, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), women, widows, retirees, and youth, on modern goat production and marketing practices.
Declaring the training open on Monday at the Education Resource Center, Gombe, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas Malle, reiterated the Gombe State Government’s commitment to transforming the livestock sub-sector while improving livelihoods.
He acknowledged Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s visionary leadership, stating, “If not for his zeal and strong commitment, the World Bank and the L-PRES project would not have come to Gombe State in the first place.”
Dr. Malle expressed delight at the diverse representation among the participants, particularly the inclusion of women, PWDs, and other vulnerable groups. He emphasized that this inclusive approach aligns perfectly with the government’s development objectives of ensuring that everyone benefits from its initiatives.
He urged the participants to pay close attention to the training content and apply the acquired knowledge to improve their goat-keeping practices, thereby enhancing their livelihoods and contributing to the state’s economic growth.
In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Gombe State L-PRES Project, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, said the training was designed to enhance livelihoods, boost self-reliance, and create new economic opportunities for vulnerable groups across the state.
He explained that the selection of participants was deliberate.
“We strategically selected these vulnerable and critical groups because of the essential role they play in goat production within our communities. Our goal is to improve their resilience, productivity, and profitability in line with the L-PRES objectives,” he said.
He further noted that this training is just the beginning, as more programs are in the pipeline to position Gombe as a hub for goat production in Nigeria and beyond.
Justifying the choice of goat-keeping, Prof. Abubakar said, “Goats have a shorter gestation period, higher productivity, and comparative advantages in terms of management and feeding.”
“Goat farming cuts across all tribes, religions, and cultures. It is practiced in every part of Gombe State, making it a crucial economic activity in our local communities,” he added.
He also highlighted the growing global demand for goat meat, stating that Gombe is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on this opportunity. With the planned establishment of the Ultra-Modern Abattoir in Gombe, the state aims to become a net exporter of goat products to other countries.
He commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his unwavering support in improving the livelihoods of the people.
“This initiative and the overall L-PRES project are the results of the Governor’s visionary leadership. His support has been instrumental in ensuring the successful implementation of this project in Gombe State,” he noted.
He called on participants and the general public to support the policies and programs of the Inuwa-led administration to improve the lives of the citizenry.
The training, conducted in batches, featured presentations from a resource person, Prof. Hussaina Makun of the National Animal Production Research Institute, Zaria.
Prof. Makun delivered a lecture titled “Goat Production for Local Communities,” educating participants on breed selection, nutrition, reproduction, and disease prevention and management for increased productivity and marketability.
Additionally, the training covered proper housing and shelter management for goats, marketing strategies, and value-addition techniques for goat products, equipping participants with business planning and entrepreneurship skills.
Expressing their appreciation, participants lauded the state government and the L-PRES Project for organizing the training, stating that it would significantly enhance their production.
“We are now equipped with ideas and best practices for goat farming. With this knowledge, we will increase productivity, earn more profit, and become self-reliant. We will no longer need to seek alms,” said Ja’o Sarkin Aiki, Chairman, Association of Physically Challenged Persons, Gombe State Chapter.
