The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project in Zamfara State says it has continued to invest in critical livestock infrastructure, animal health interventions, capacity building and value chain development to transform the livestock sector into a more productive, sustainable and profitable enterprise.
The State Project Coordinator, Nasiru Mohammed, stated this at the opening of Occupational Health and Safety Management Training for livestock farmers organised by the L-PRES Project in Gusau, the Zamfara State Capital.
Represented by the Animal Health Officer of the project, Dr. Mukhtar Salihu Anka, the coordinator described the training as one of L-PRES’ key capacity-building interventions aimed at promoting safe and sustainable livestock production.
He noted that livestock farming is associated with several occupational hazards, including zoonotic diseases, animal-inflicted injuries, exposure to hazardous chemicals and environmental risks.
According to him, equipping livestock farmers with practical knowledge on occupational health and safety was essential to protecting their health, improving farm productivity, ensuring food safety and safeguarding the environment.
He explained that the training also aligns with the One Health approach, which recognises the strong link between human, animal and environmental health.
Nasiru Mohammed urged participants to actively engage in the training by asking questions, contributing to discussions and sharing experiences that would enrich the learning process.
He encouraged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training on their farms and share the information with other livestock farmers in their respective communities.
The coordinator expressed appreciation to the World Bank, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the Zamfara State Government under Governor Dauda Lawal, implementing partners, facilitators and other stakeholders for their continued support towards the successful implementation of the project.
He expressed optimism that the training would contribute significantly to improving occupational safety, reducing workplace injuries and diseases, and building a resilient and prosperous livestock sector in Zamfara State.
The L-PRES Project is a World Bank-supported initiative being implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with participating states, including Zamfara State.
The project is designed to improve livestock productivity, strengthen resilience across selected livestock value chains, enhance commercialisation, promote private sector investment, improve animal health services and create employment opportunities.
The training brought together resource persons and participants from various livestock value chains across the state to enhance their knowledge and skills in occupational health and safety as well as improve livestock productivity.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
