The World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project has recorded significant progress across 20 states in Nigeria, reaching over 1.4 million beneficiaries and boosting livestock production nationwide.
The $500 million project, designed to run for six years was established to improve livestock productivity, strengthen farmers’ resilience and create business opportunities across key livestock value chains including beef, dairy, sheep, goat, poultry and feed production.
Speaking during the L-PRES Mid-Term Review (MTR), the National Project Coordinator, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, said the exercise was aimed at evaluating the project’s achievements and identifying areas that require greater attention as implementation progresses.
He explained that the project aligns with the Federal Government’s livestock transformation agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to reposition the livestock sector for improved productivity, commercial growth and economic development.
The World Bank Task Team Leader, Sene Maniveil, called on participating states and stakeholders to sustain the current momentum and accelerate project implementation to ensure more livestock farmers and rural communities benefit from the programme.
Dr. Abubakar disclosed that the project has exceeded its initial target of 1.43 million beneficiaries, with over 546,000 women and about 903,000 men benefiting from various interventions across participating states.
According to him, the project has provided training, advisory services, vaccination campaigns, pasture development support, livestock inputs and infrastructure aimed at improving farmers’ productivity and livelihoods.
Highlighting some of the project’s achievements, he said annual milk production per cow increased from 274.5 litres to 375.9 litres, while cattle carcass weight rose from 135kg to 160kg, Sheep production improved from 14.22kg to 21.43kg, while goat production also recorded steady growth.
He further revealed that 1,492 farmers benefited from artificial insemination services, with over 3,489 cattle inseminated under the programme.
Dr. Abubakar noted that the project is helping to improve household incomes, empower women and strengthen the resilience of rural communities through targeted livestock interventions and improved animal healthcare services.
He added that the livestock sector has enormous potential for job creation, food security, export growth and rural economic development when properly modernized and supported.
The National Project Coordinator also disclosed that more than 388,000 farmers had accessed livestock support services, while over 101,000 farmers adopted improved livestock technologies.
In addition, over 6,184 extension workers, veterinary officers and artificial insemination technicians have received specialized training to improve livestock service delivery nationwide.
The Mid-Term Review meeting brought together representatives of the World Bank, State Project Coordinators, the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, the Food and Agriculture Organization and other stakeholders in the livestock sector.
Stakeholders at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the vision of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development under the leadership of the Minister, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, towards building a modern livestock sector capable of driving economic growth, improving food security and creating more opportunities for Nigerians.
