Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state has flagged off the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), a $500m food security programme supported by the World Bank and the Federal Government.

Livestock agriculture is about 5% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, constituting 17% of that of agriculture.

Meat demand has increased as economic development grows in Nigeria.

Animal grazing practices in Nigeria have changed due to population growth, urbanization, and changing agricultural practices.

In Kwara state, North Central Nigeria, livestock agriculture is a popular practice among residents and this is equally encouraged by the government.

This explains why the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project is here being launched in the state.

It is a 6-year $500m food security programme supported by the World Bank and the Federal Government.

Flagging off the programme, governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq says Kwara has a comparative advantage in all areas of livestock production, particularly beef and dairy production.

The visiting team is impressed with the commitment of the state government to the programme.

The objectives of the programme are to improve productivity, commercialisation, and resilience of targeted livestock value chain in Nigeria as well as strengthen the resilience of livelihood affected by farmers herders conflict.