World Bank to invest 200 Million USD IN Livestock Farming ---as Obiano asks for feed production

www.odogwublog.com reprots that the World Bank has planned a Two Hundred Million US Dollar Intervention fund Livestock farming and development.

The project is likely to take off January 2019 even as a Federal Government and World Bank Delegation visited Anambra State to review livestock farming in the State.

Governor Willie Obiano who received the team at the Government House, Awka said the state has renewed its bid to improve livestock farming in the State.

Governor Obiano, represented by the State Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke revealed that the agricultural sector has thrived under the present administration including the increase in the production of Anambra rice, pointing out that with resources and help, more strides will be achieved.

While assuring of State government's support of the World Bank project, Governor Obiano urged them to look into animal feed production in the State. He noted that about eighty percent of livestock farming is animal feed, adding that the raw materials are in abundance in the State.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Afam Mbanefo hinted that the State government had written a letter indicating interest in the program, and that the team had been taken to a number of farm settlements in the State, relevant to the project.

Mr Mbanefo emphasized that the State government is ready to provide the twenty million naira counterpart fund for the project to take off next year January, and noted that State government, under the Ministry of Agriculture, is working hard to bring out more models that will help and improve the livestock value chain.

A Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development who doubles as the Desk Officer in charge of the Project, Mrs. Winnie Lai-Solarin said the project came up as a result of years of neglect meted to livestock farming in the Country, describing the Livestock Industry as a sleeping giant that needs to be awakened, saying that based on their assessment, Anambra stands tall among comity of States with willingness to key into the project.

Mrs. Lai-Solarin pointed out that after touring different parts of the State, Anambra has proven that with little effort, the agricultural sector can be transformed to a goldmine, saying that except for weak institutional synergy, livestock farmers are showing enthusiasm and commitment, assuring of support.