NGO TRAINS 600 IN 5 ADAMAWA LGAs ON ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK FEEDS

As part of effort to improve as well as strengthen the economic interdependence among farmers and herders in Adamawa State, a Non Govermental Organisation(NGO), Social Change and Economic Development (CSCED) has trained over 600 across 5 Local Government Areas in the state.

The organisation trained the beneficiaries in farmer and herder commumities on Alternative Livestock Fodder/Feed-stock and its Value Chain Opportunities in the LGAs and the state in general.

Those trained include; men, women and Physically Challenged Persons cut across Girei, Fufore, Demsa, Numan, and Lamurde LGAs respectively which reside along the bank of river Benue.

The training programme was organised by the Social Change and Economic Development (CSCED) and adequately funded by the European Union Development Fund, British Council, and Agent for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT).

Earlier, the organisation had trained 20 agricultural and livestock extension officers selected across the LGAs who eventually stepped down the training to over 400 participants drawn from the LGAs.

The project which was titled “Training of Trainers(TOT) on Alternative Livestock Fodder/Feed-stock and its Value Chain Opportunities in Adamawa State” enhanced the skills of 20 agricultural extension & livestock officers who equipped others.

It exposed them on how to adopt alternative livestock feed formulation; promote the production of locally formulated alternative livestock feeds; and facilitate the formation of 10 Cooperative Groups for sustainability purposes.

It has equally increased mutual relationship between the two cluster groups of farmers and herders as a result of this intervention, hence, limiting unhealthy competition on scarce natural resources which ultimately reduces land degradation.

It could be recalled that farmer and herder communities in Adamawa State often witness heightened conflicts due to scarce natural resources especially at the banks of the river Benue. 

While the herders crave for grasses and water to feed their livestock, the farmers rely on the river and its banks for farming activities as well as fishing.

In his remarks, the Project Officer CSCED, Idris Isa Gabdo, said that the NGO has gone beyond its deliverables, as more than 700 beneficiaries were trained, empowered and currently enjoying the post project intervention.

“Farmers and herders inherently have friction in the cause of their daily endeavors; however, our project stepped in to alleviate and mitigate the conflict into more beneficial and mutual interdependence in their future engagements". He added.

He further stated thus, "We as an organization with funding from our donors, have provided to the beneficiaries with practical consumables to aid them in this endeavor."

Cross section of the beneficiaries in the areas of implementation were not only elated but overwhelmed with the EU-ACT Project, saying that they have learned cost effective, innovative and modern processes on Alternative Livestock Fodder/Feed-stock and its Value Chain Opportunities.