BY: NWAEBIEM JENNIFER NWAKAIFE
The Enugu State Government, through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, has intensified efforts to transform livestock farming into a commercially driven industry capable of producing meat and milk for local consumption, export and the global market. The State Project Coordinator, Dr. Mrs. Nnajieze Ifeyinwa Elizabeth disclosed this during an interview in her office, highlighting the achievements of the World Bank-supported project since its commencement in 2022 and her appointment as State Project Coordinator in October 2023.
Dr. Nnajieze attributed the project’s progress to the visionary leadership of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, noting that his administration had strengthened livestock development through funding, recruitment, and capacity building. She said the project focuses on cattle, pigs, dogs, sheep, goats and poultry, with major components covering livestock production and productivity, animal health and veterinary services, value-chain development, training, access to markets, environmental sustainability, climate resilience, project coordination, monitoring and accountability. She also commended the governor for recruiting 100 veterinary doctors and 50 paraveterinary doctors, adding that the development had renewed the morale of animal health professionals who said they had not received similar recognition from previous administrations for about 20 years.
Highlighting the project’s achievements, the coordinator disclosed that 25 farmers had received training and grants through the Development Bank of Nigeria, while more than 5,000 livestock farmers had been provided for under the state’s livestock development efforts. She added that over 20 farmers had been trained in artificial insemination with full funding and were now practicing, while more than 11,000 farmers had been profiled across the 17 local government areas of the state. According to her, the government had also trained 128 extension agents in good animal husbandry practices, alongside 122 veterinary officers, paraveterinary personnel and community animal health workers, to improve livestock management and move farmers from subsistence to commercial production.
The coordinator further revealed that a major livestock development project was underway on 10 hectares of land at Ubahu, where an American contractor was working to establish a suitable environment for livestock production, with funding support from the Enugu State Government and L-PRES. She expressed optimism that the project would soon be commissioned, explaining that it was part of the governor’s vision to make Enugu a major producer of meat and milk. She also highlighted the importance of a well-equipped veterinary hospital at Akwuke in strengthening animal healthcare and disease control, while expressing hope that the state would establish an internationally recognised abattoir to ensure hygienic meat processing and give consumers confidence in the safety of the meat they purchase.
Looking ahead, Dr. Nnajieze said the state was working towards a future in which livestock farmers would establish commercial agricultural businesses and industries, supported by improved access to finance and markets. She also expressed the aspiration to establish an Enugu State Livestock Bank to strengthen livestock financing and support farmers’ growth. The coordinator appreciated Governor Mbah for his commitment, visionary leadership, and selfless service, as well as the Commissioner for Agriculture for his active participation and teamwork. She reaffirmed that the project’s ultimate goal was to build a sustainable livestock sector that would create economic opportunities, improve animal health, enhance food safety and position Enugu State as a competitive livestock producer within Nigeria and beyond.
