By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- IN a bid to galvanize the nation’s livestock industry, the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, L-PRES, under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has partnered with the media to boost livestock development across the country.

The National Project Coordinator, L-PRES, Sanusi Abubakar, said the need to understand the L-PRES Project is now in his welcome address at a Media Workshop organized by L-PRES in Abuja.

According to Abubakar, the L-PRES project was launched with a clear mission: to improve livestock productivity, commercialization, and resilience across Nigeria. The livestock sector plays a vital role in our nation’s economy and food security.

He also made it known that the project, running from 2022 to 2028, is funded with a loan of US$500 million granted in 2021, complemented by US$46 million in counterpart funding over six years.

Meanwhile, he added that L-PRES has a broad scope, addressing the most pressing needs of the livestock sector through its various components: Institution and Innovation System Strengthening (US$95 million); Animal Husbandry and Advisory Support Services (US$40 million); Animal Health Services (US$40 million); Livestock Value Chain Enhancement (US$275 million); Crisis Prevention and Conflict Mitigation (US$100 million); and Natural Resources Management and Pasture Improvement (US$70 million).

He said: “We believe the media function have critical roles to play in communicating the important work we are doing, and the transformative impact is expected to have on Nigeria’s livestock sector.

“Your role in this journey cannot be overstated. You are the voice that amplifies our efforts and brings these important stories to the public. Your coverage can help raise awareness about the project’s goals, its impact on the economy, and how it supports the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

“I encourage you to delve deeper into the L-PRES project, ask questions, and share the progress and opportunities that this initiative offers. Together, we can help transform Nigeria’s livestock sector into one that is more productive, resilient, and sustainable.

“The L-PRES project was launched with a clear mission: to improve livestock productivity, commercialization, and resilience across Nigeria. The livestock sector plays a vital role in our nation’s economy and food security.

“However, it faces several challenges, such as climate change, level of value addition, market access, poor services, absence of supporting infrastructure, disease and conflicts between herders and farmers. To address these issues, L-PRES is built on an integrated approach to support the resilience and growth of livestock systems.

“The project, running from 2022 to 2028, is funded with a loan of US$500 million granted in 2021, complemented by US$46 million in counterpart funding over six years. The funding is being deployed to improve various aspects of the livestock value chain, and the project is implemented through a Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) at the state level, with the National Coordination Office (NCO) providing technical support and guidance.”

He also pointed out that the L-PRES is already making significant strides.