NAN-AE-12
Ranching
Jos, Oct. 23, 2017 (NAN) Prof. Hamidu Sharubutu, the Provost of College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, Plateau, has called for the ranching of livestock to boost meat and dairy production.
Sharubutu made the call in Jos on Monday at a two-day pastoral training programme organised by the Plateau Micro Finance Development Agency.
He said that pastoralists had been rearing livestock in old ways which had stunted the growth of the industry.
“We are calling for a modern way of rearing livestock in the state in order to develop livestock production into a vibrant business enterprise.
“Our pastoralists have been rearing livestock in the old traditional and conservative way which has not resulted in any growth in the industry.
“I think it is high time we changed from the old way we are used to,” he said.
Sharubutu said that the pastoralists needed to adopt new ways of livestock breeding by settling down in one place to enhance production.
He said that upgrading the local breeds of livestock would also engender good yields for the herdsmen.
The provost called for increased funding for researches into the development of new breeds of animals in the state.
Also speaking, Mr Haggai Gutap, the Director-General, Plateau Micro Finance Development Agency, said that the training would improve the skills of pastoralists in modern techniques of livestock keeping.
He said that this would lead to high productivity which would, in turn, enhance the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Gutap also said that an improvement of the livestock industry would boost the production of hides and skins for the leather works sub-sector. (NAN)
ADY/MOL/OOK
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Dayo Komolafe