Training Of Farmers, Herders On Alternative Feedstock Of Cattle Begins in Taraba
BY AMEH IDUJAGI, JALINGO – As part of efforts to mitigate frequent farmers/herders crisis in Taraba State, the Centre for Social Change and Economic Development Nigeria (CSCED) has commenced the training of 600 farmers and herders on alternative feedstock and commercial opportunities from its value chain development in the North East State.
The team leader of CSCED, Mr Mustapha Baba, who announced this speaking with Forefront in Jalingo, said that 20 agricultural extension workers trained in 2020 have finished refresher course for the outreach extension training for the 600 farmers and herders on alternative livestock fodder/feedstock and other opportunities.
He said the programme was being organized in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the Ministries of Agriculture in three states, Taraba, Benue and Nassarawa, where the programme are currently being implemented.
According to Bala; “We commenced the outreach training of the farmers and herders in the most vulnerable areas of farmers/herders crisis in the state.
“The extension workers are grouped into three based on the State three senatorial districts to handle the outreach training expected to be completed in four weeks with each group training at least 30 farmers and herders.”
Baba further explained that the exercise, supported by United Nations Peacebuilding, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Human Rights Commission and UN Women, is meant to check the incidence of farmers/herders crisis in the country.
He said the preparation of alternative feeds, using ammonia, urea and aroma therapy, would in addition help to reduce contentions and conflicts over natural resources while also enhancing nutrition for the animals as well as fertility of land for the farmers.
