In a move to reduce farmers/herdsmen clashes in the state, the National Agricultural Development Agency (NALDA) has established a 100 hectare integrated farm estates farm in Sokoto state to boost livestock and crop production.
The farm among others has a modern farm with a milking parlor with a capacity of 200 cows in a set, a 500 cow shed, napier grass on 50 hectares, and the construction of a veterinary clinic/section, a poultry feed factory as well. as a farm to improve food production.
NALDA Executive Secretary Paul Ikonne while inspecting the project said that the authority is developing a modern livestock farm that will save itself and reduce the movement of cattle in the area.
He noted that in line with the directives of President Mohammadu Buhari, NALDA is committed to achieving food security and development, as he assured that farms will generate employment, hygienic milk production and fattening of cattle for meat.
Ikonne said that the youths will also be trained in the farm to encourage them to become farmers.
He said the animal farm would be located in Dabagin-lafia, opposite Usman Danfodio University farm, while the poultry feed factory is located in Dayin village along the road to Doba, in Sokoto State.
“He said that 100 hectares of agricultural land was donated by Prime Ranch Ltd for animal husbandry and added napier grass field and will plant maize and millet on 30 hectares of the land and added that the napier grass field will help in fodder production. cattle and eliminate roaming around animals to find fodder, thus preventing farmer/herder conflicts.
The director general said that about 400 people are directly involved in the farm.
“The chain of employment is no less than 400, including workers who will directly participate in the activity.
The founder, of Prime Ranch Ltd, Nafiu Yakubi, said the partnership with NALDA thanks President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting young farmers through NADLA, stressing that the President has called Nigerians back to farming, as he urges Nigerian youth to produce for the call.
“I am a lawyer and I went back to the farm, so Nigerian youths should go back to farming. It is very profitable and there are many opportunities,” said Yakubu.
During the inspection, construction workers were seen on 100 hectares of agricultural land in part of the clinic and training center building which is in progress, while the 500 cow capacity barn and the cow milking parlor have been completed.
It is also seen that people who irrigate the fields of napier grass are using boreholes provided by NALDA in the farm.