 Kwara State Government has unveiled plan to commercialize livestock stock sector in the state with the Inauguration of Kwara State Livestock Entrepreneurship Scheme (KWALES).
The state Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, explained that KWALES is a Government initiative designed to empower youth and women by creating sustainable livestock businesses.
Mrs Thomas explained that the project is aimed to transform beneficiaries into job creators through practical training, mentorship, and access to funding.
She added that the scheme focuses on modern, climate-smart agriculture and value-chain development to boost food security and economic growth.
She further emphasized that the objective of the initiative is to strengthen the capacity of producer groups including women and youths.
The Commissioner revealed that the scheme is built around two key components that would drive the initiative, saying that the components are; Women in Livestock and Youth in Livestock.
She emphasized that KWALES focuses on practical skills rather than just training, aiming to build a commercial, sustainable livestock sector in Kwara State.
Mrs Thomas disclosed that the project would begin with three programmes that include; Black Soldier Fly (BSF) production, Bee Keeping for honey production and Small ruminate rearing.
The State Government, according to her, has secured partnership with off-takers that would be off-taking 400,000 goats and sheep, a day and another that would be of-taking 100 swine daily.
The Commissioner further explained that the Government is working round the clock to strengthen producers’ growth to meet these daily demands, focusing on Women and Youth to exploit the opportunity.
She added that the Government would shoulder their capacity development by providing logistics and other supports to ensure that they are well-equiped with necessary trainings.
Mrs Thomas also informed that the Government would provide access to finance, disclosing that it had secured partnership with FCMB and JAIZ Banks, to give out loan to beneficiaries at a single digit.
The representatives of the AdunGreen Foundation, Mr Olaribigbe Tajudeen, described the initiative as a practical model for sustainable, youth-led livestock development.
He explained that the Foundation would introduce Black Soldier Fly (BSF) as its flagship feature, a climate-smart approach converting organic waste into affordable, high-quality protein feeds for livestock.
According to him,”This innovation reduces feed costs, promotes large scale waste recycling and strengthening local feed production”.
In their separate Goodwill Messages, the Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Mr Richard Mark Mbaram, the Director General, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Mr Jafar Abubakar Umar, Managing Director, Valentine Chicken, Leon Gutter and ATN Power Ranch Partners, Dr Adefunke Afolabi, lauded the initiative.
They further described the initiative as a strategic platform for empowering youths and nurturing enterprise-driven leaders capable of strengthening Kwara State’s agricultural and livestock value chains.
Dignitaries at the event include; Special Assistant to President on Livestock Development, Hon Idris Ajimobi; Commissioners for Communications; Hon Bolanle Olukoju, Finance, Dr Hauwa Nuru, Tertiary Education; Mrs Sa:adatu Modibbo Kawu, Water Resources; Hon Usman Yunusa Lade, Energy; Engr Abdulazeez Kola AbdulGaniy, Youth Development; Amb Ndanusa Usman Shehu, Solid Minerals; Abosede Buraimoh, Special Duties; Hon John Bello,
Others dignitaries are; Special Assistant to Minister of Livestock, Mr Richard Mark Mbaram Esq, the Executive Secretary, Kwara State Education Trust Fund, Damilola Amolegbe, Managing Director, Valentine Chicken; Leon Gutter, Special Assistant, Herdsmen; Hajia Aisha Yusuf and the Managing Director, America West Africa Agro, Jerry Cunningham.
Also present at the are; Director General, Nigeria Agribusiness Group,
Mr. Jafar Abubakar Umar, ATN Power Ranch Partners; Engr Muyiwa Afolabi, National Operations Manager, Valentine Chicken, Adedeji Samuel Oluwaseyi, Urus; Adekunle John Olayiwola,
FCMB, Omotosho Kamoru, OLAM Partners; Alok Khator, Mentor- Green Growth Africa; Dr. Adedoyin Adeleke, CLB, Global Reality; Mr. Caleb Oluwaferanmi Shittu and Excellence Home; Mr. Isaac Adeleye
