US Varsity, Others Organise Training For Livestock Farmers

University of California, Davis (UCD), the United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) and the US Embassy have organised a training workshop for livestock farmers in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Nigerian coordinator of the programme, Francis Ahamefule, which was made available to LEADERSHIP Sunday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

The statement said the workshop was organised in collaboration with the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), and the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science.(NIAS), Abuja.

“The workshop advocated reduced global warming, improved livestock productivity among small-holder farmers, and climate smart ration formulation software technology among others,” it said.

“Some of the main objectives of the USDA FAS funded programme is to use the technology to meet climate smart livestock production in line with sustainable development goals

“Hopefully, the technology is also expected to engender rearing of cattle in colonies and ranches and curb the incessant and perennial herder-farmer conflicts in the country,” it asserted further.

USDA FAS director, Andre Ntamach, said the technology ensures least cost ration for beef cattle without compromising basic nutritional requirements and methane reduction.

According to Ntamach, the technology could be updated to support and accommodate other livestock such as dairy cattle, sheep and goats as well as swine and poultry.

The team lead, Ermias Kebreab, expressed delight with the workshop, pointing at the importance of extending the technology to rural livestock farmers to ensure food security amidst looming global food crisis.