An entrepreneur based in Benue State, Chief Isaac Akinkunmi, has advanced the need to encourage youths in livestock farming in the state.
Akinkunmi, who is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Tito group of companies in Makurdi, acknowledged the nutritious value of grass species that grow in the state.
Consequently, Chief Akinkunmi explained that his organization would soon organise a livestock show similar to trade fair in Makurdi to arouse the interest of youths in livestock farming.
Disclosing this at the weekend when he paid a visit to Benue State Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Moses Ogbaji, Akinkunmi said that the idea was to raise the interest of youths in livestock farming.
According to him, “The Livestock show is a kind of trade fair; crop production will come in. All agricultural practices will also feature. The idea is aimed at arousing interest of the youth in livestock farming as a vocation.
“It will also encourage farmers to go into mix farming by combining crop farming and animal husbandry. It’s equally meant to train farmers on ranching and how to produce food for their animals economically. It’s to show that ranching pays.
One-time president of the Yoruba community in the state further said, “Tito group isn’t just all about yoghurt, furaghurt, and fast foods; we are livestock production and reproduction specialist. At Tito ranch, we cross breed and artificially inseminate to raise high quality herds for milk and meat production.”
Enumerating the importance of livestock farming, Akinkunmi said that it could be used to raise youth employment, improve farmers’ income through mixed farming and alleviate poverty.
While acknowledging the nutritious value of grass species that grow in the state, the CEO enjoined the state government to partner with his company for the mega show event.
He suggested that another way to engage Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and residents of the state was to key into the reset Benue agenda through the establishment of large farm settlements where security can easily be provided for them to work and own farms.
In his response, the Agriculture Commissioner, Ogbaji lauded the initiative and promised that the state would partner the Tito group to achieve the aim of the show.
Ogbaji said that the invaluable contributions of the company to the agricultural growth of the state could not be overemphasised in all ramifications.
He said, “Your contributions are invaluable. You have regarded Benue as your home so we will be ready to partner with you,” the commissioner posited.
On his part, Dr. Edward Amali, the ministry’s Director of Livestock, assured that the event would offer much solutions to the sector in the state.
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