Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON recently led a strong delegation to the North African Nation of Morocco on a successful mission aimed to understudy modern agricultural practices, technologies, and approaches to advancing agro-allied industrialization and businesses with a view to implementing the same in Gombe State towards building a robust and more sustainable agroeconomic in the state.

 

The week-long trip, held from June 5th to 12th, 2024, included a special visit to COPAG Dairy and Beef Farm in Taroudant, Agadir. The visit aimed to gain valuable insights into dairy and beef farming practices, explore potential partnerships, and identify best practices to boost Gombe’s dairy and beef industries.

 

Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, Gombe State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) Coordinator, a project focused on modernizing the entire livestock value chain, improving resilience and productivity in the sector, explained that the Morocco mission yielded a wealth of knowledge across the entire dairy and beef value chain.

“Participants gained insights into improved techniques for breeding and selecting high-yielding dairy cattle, implementing effective feeding and nutrition programs, and utilizing modern milking and herd management practices. Disease prevention and control strategies were also a key focus area, ensuring the health of the dairy herd and the quality of milk production,” he noted.

 

Beyond production, the mission delved into efficient milk processing and packaging methods, crucial steps in getting high-quality dairy products to consumers. Strategies for cheese and butter production were explored, offering Gombe the potential to diversify its dairy offerings. Effective marketing strategies and establishing robust distribution channels were also examined, ensuring Gombe’s dairy products reach a wider market.

 

The mission further explored best practices for beef production, covering breeding and genetics for high-quality beef cattle, proper feeding and nutrition programs, effective cattle husbandry and management techniques, and modern methods for slaughtering, processing, and marketing beef products, the foundation of which has been laid by the state government through the L-PRES project.

 

The mission recognized the importance of farmers’ cooperatives in fostering a successful dairy and beef industry. Significant focus was placed on understanding how these cooperatives in Morocco are structured and managed. The governance models, membership processes, and decision-making within these cooperatives were also explored.

 

Additionally, it examined the advantages and challenges associated with cooperatives, such as economies of scale, improved market access, and enhanced collective bargaining power. Understanding these aspects will be invaluable in establishing similar organizations in Gombe State, empowering local farmers through collaboration and shared success.

 

The Gombe State Government isn’t wasting any time capitalizing on the successful study mission to Morocco. To ensure long-term growth in the dairy and beef industries, a comprehensive action plan has been established, prioritizing several key initiatives.

 

Developing a Roadmap: A detailed plan will be formulated, incorporating the valuable knowledge gained from the Moroccan experts. This roadmap will serve as a blueprint for progress, addressing every aspect of dairy and beef production in Gombe State, ensuring a holistic approach to development. This roadmap will be the foundation for the action plan’s various initiatives.

 

Building Partnerships for Success: Recognizing the importance of collaboration, the plan actively pursues discussions with COPAG and other Moroccan stakeholders. These potential partnerships offer Gombe access to invaluable expertise and resources. Collaboration with experienced players in the dairy and beef industries can provide a significant boost to Gombe’s development efforts.

 

Empowering Local Farmers through Cooperatives: Establishing farmers’ cooperative organizations is another crucial element. These cooperatives will strengthen the dairy and beef industries by fostering collaboration and bargaining power amongst producers. By working together, farmers can improve their efficiency, secure better deals on supplies, and have a stronger voice in the marketplace. This empowerment is essential for the long-term viability of Gombe’s dairy and beef sectors.

 

Investing in Knowledge and Skills: Knowledge transfer is a key focus of the action plan. Training programs will be organized for both farmers and extension agents. These programs will cover various aspects of dairy and beef production, processing, and marketing. Equipping local stakeholders with the necessary skills is essential for their success in the industry. A more knowledgeable and skilled workforce will be the backbone of a thriving dairy and beef sector in Gombe State.

 

Attracting Investment for Modernization: The government recognizes the need for private sector investment to drive further development and modernization. The action plan includes an investment drive to attract capital into the dairy and beef industries. This influx of investment will allow for the adoption of modern technologies and practices, ultimately increasing efficiency and productivity.

 

Securing Feed Security and Reducing Costs: To ensure feed security and reduce costs for farmers, a dedicated dairy and beef feed processing plant will be established. This will provide a reliable source of high-quality feed for livestock, directly impacting the health and productivity of the animals. By reducing dependence on external feed sources, Gombe can stabilize its dairy and beef industries and improve profitability for farmers.

 

Safeguarding Animal Health: Protecting animal health is another priority. A robust livestock disease surveillance and control program will be implemented. This program will safeguard the health of Gombe’s livestock population, minimizing disease outbreaks and ensuring the production of safe and high-quality dairy and beef products.

Processing Expertise for Export Potential: The action plan acknowledges the potential for export. Training programs specifically focused on dairy and beef processing will be offered to farmers and processors. This focus on quality processing will ensure that Gombe’s dairy and beef products meet international standards. By developing this expertise, Gombe can open doors to exploring opportunities to export its products to other countries, expanding its market reach and generating additional revenue.

 

Ensuring Successful Implementation: To oversee the successful implementation of this comprehensive plan, a dedicated project management team will be established. This team will be responsible for monitoring progress, addressing challenges, and ensuring the plan achieves its intended outcomes.

Additionally, two professionals will revisit Morocco within six weeks for a more in-depth understudy program at COPAG. This continued learning will provide them with a deeper understanding of COPAG’s operations, allowing them to bring back valuable insights that can be applied in Gombe.

With this well-defined action plan and a commitment to collaboration and knowledge transfer, Gombe State is poised to achieve a thriving and sustainable dairy and beef sector, contributing significantly to the state’s economic development.

 

Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s vision is to introduce sustainably produced dairy products such as flavored milk, butter, cheese, and yogurt made in Gombe State. This initiative is expected to generate numerous direct and indirect job opportunities, significantly contributing to the state’s economic growth and overall prosperity of the people.

The successful study mission to Morocco marks a significant step forward for Gombe State. By leveraging the knowledge gained and implementing the outlined action plan, Gombe is well on its way to achieving a secure and prosperous future for its dairy and beef industries.