By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
In an effort to tame farmer-herder clashes and harness Gombe State livestock potentials, the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, will facilitate the creation of herder cooperative societies and establish at least 55 milk collection centres, five across each of the 11 local government areas of the state.
This was disclosed by the State’s Project Coordinator Professor Usman Bello Abubakar during a one day stakeholders consultative meeting with the leadership of the state herders in Gombe.
Professor U.B. Abubakar said being part Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya Administration’s commitments to modernize the state livestock sub sector, measures are being rolled out to ensure herders in the state optimally benefit from their aged-long business.
He said “Creation of cooperative societies and establishment of these centres will help maximize the milk you produce, facilitate storage for longer periods and reduce long distance travel with your cattle. Livestock farming is no longer an inherited business, it’s now a great investment venture that can sustain you and boost your wealth”.
The coordinator said for the herders to benefit from the new milk collection centres, they must group themselves into cooperatives to facilitate the take off, maintaining that more advantages are attached to the new centres apart from milk collection.
“Part of the requirements for these centres is for you to group yourselves into cooperative societies to make the process easier for you and the project as well. These cooperatives are key in executing subsequent project activities, such as the upcoming artificial insemination exercise aimed at crossbreeding improved breeds with local ones to enhance productivity”.
He said the centres can equally provide employment opportunities, boost quality and healthy milk, and strengthen the herders and state’s economy.
While encouraging the herders on inclusivity, Professor Bello Abubakar stressed the importance of carrying everyone along irrespective of gender, cultural, religious or ethnic backgrounds.
The State L-PRES Project Coordinator asked the herders to ensure they form the cooperatives in two weeks, for timely establishment of the centres.
In his contribution, the Head of Planning, Research and Statistics, Cooperative Directorate, Sani Musa, briefed the stakeholders on the requirements for establishing the cooperative societies.
He advised them to ensure the names they select revolve around diaries to meet the specific targets.
Also speaking, the state chairman Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Ardo Chindo Abubakar, encouraged the herders on unity regardless of affiliations to make the program a reality.
He stressed the importance of enrolling their children in schools, and giving their younger one the opportunities to coordinate and stir over their affairs for relevance and result oriented development.
The milk collection centres initiative is part of the outcome of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s recent Moroccon mission, which focused on agriculture and investment, including livestock.