“Pasture And Fodder Production Isn’t Just About Animal Feed—It’s a Profitable Venture,” says Prof. U.B. Abubakar

The Gombe State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project has commenced a three-day specialized training programme for 67 livestock farmers across the state on effective business models for pasture development.

Speaking at the opening session of the training held at Amina Mohammed Hall, the State Project Coordinator, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, emphasized that pasture and fodder production represent more than a means of feeding animals—it is a viable economic venture with substantial income-generating potential for farmers.

“Animal husbandry is highly dependent on quality feed, and forage production and pasture development play a crucial role in improving livestock productivity. This training serves as a continuation and consolidation of our previous interventions,” he said.

He recalled that in the past year, L-PRES successfully distributed 800 kilograms of fodder seeds and 20,000 seedlings of various forage crops, in addition to organizing capacity-building sessions on feed development. “This current exercise builds on those foundational efforts to further strengthen livestock productivity in the state,” he added.

He explained that participants were carefully selected based on their practical experience in pasture and fodder production, stressing the importance of hands-on knowledge in achieving measurable outcomes. “It’s not just about theory—we need people who understand the realities on the ground,” he noted.

Prof. Abubakar encouraged participants to take the training seriously, adopt modern techniques, and cascade the knowledge to fellow farmers. He further highlighted the potential of small-scale fodder farming, even at the household level, as a sustainable practice that supports food security and livestock health.

“The modernization of the livestock sector is a core objective of L-PRES, and we are fortunate to have the support of a visionary leader like Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who shares this passion,” he stated.

The State Project Coordinator reaffirmed the project’s commitment to supporting passionate and dedicated livestock farmers, noting that meaningful support is often most effective when farmers demonstrate genuine interest and a business-oriented mindset.

The training focused on strengthening participants’ financial management skills, developing basic business plans, and deepening their understanding of core cooperative governance principles—such as democratic member participation, transparency, and accountability—within the context of livestock cooperatives.

Participants who spoke after the training, including Ardo Mbuldi Kaltungo, Muhammad Abdullahi Manga, and Aishatu Adamu Umar, expressed appreciation to L-PRES for organizing the programme and pledged to apply the knowledge gained—particularly in developing their individual pasture fields and improving forage production—to boost livestock productivity and enhance food security.