L-PRES DELEGATION INSPECTS LIVESTOCK IMPROVEMENT & BREEDING CENTRE IN NIGER

By Rashidat AbdulRahman

Niger Foods has hosted a delegation from Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kogi states on an inspection visit to the Livestock Improvement and Breeding Centre (LIBC), Tagwai, located in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State.

During the visit, the delegation toured the facility to assess ongoing activities and evaluate progress in livestock development. The team observed significant improvements in cattle productivity, with reports showing that some local breeds have doubled their weight within four months under the centre’s structured feeding and management system.

Officials attributed the gains to improved nutrition, efficient livestock management practices, and sustained government support. They explained that controlled feeding using high-quality rations enhances nutrient utilization in cattle a process known as metabolic programming resulting in improved growth and long term productivity.

Tumsiyya Mann noted that the initiative, driven by the Niger Foods team with the support of Governor Umar Mohammed Bago, is part of broader efforts to modernize the livestock sector and strengthen its contribution to the state’s economy. She added that the programme is designed to promote an inclusive and commercially viable livestock system.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the pastoral sector through the LIBC initiative, which aims to boost productivity, enhance livestock value chains, and integrate pastoralists into a more sustainable framework.

Also speaking, the National Animal Health Specialist under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project, Dr. Mustafa Mohammed, said the visit was aimed at assessing progress and verifying compliance with the project’s results framework and performance indicators.

Dr. Mohammed stated that the exercise was necessary to ensure that reported achievements align with realities on the ground. He commended the leadership of Governor Umar Mohammed Bago for driving effective implementation of the project.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded, noting that the initiative has significantly improved resilience in animal productivity across the state. He added that the project is creating an enabling environment for investors, with several investments already underway.

Highlighting key innovations, Dr. Mohammed said the introduction of crop production specifically for animal feed—though relatively new in Nigeria—is being successfully implemented in Niger State. He also praised the performance of personnel involved in the programme, describing it as commendable, while stressing the need for consistent feed supply to sustain productivity.

It would be recalled that the National Coordinator of the L-PRES project paid a courtesy visit to the Livestock Improvement and Breeding Centre, Tagwai, on April 9, 2026.

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