Kwara seeks private-sector collaboration to boost livestock production

PHOTO: The Kwara State Commissioner for Livestock Development and Supervisory Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Oloruntoyosi Thomas.. credit: Kwara govt

The Kwara State Government has expressed its readiness to partner with private-sector investors to strengthen livestock production, develop the dairy value chain and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the state.

The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, disclosed this on Thursday after a meeting with representatives of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, a major player in Nigeria’s dairy and food industry.

During the meeting, both parties explored areas of possible collaboration in the livestock and agricultural sectors.

Thomas said the engagement was aimed at identifying opportunities for private-sector investment, improving local production and strengthening the livestock and dairy value chains through partnerships that would benefit farmers and other stakeholders.

She added that collaboration with the company could provide opportunities for local livestock farmers to access modern agricultural practices, improve productivity and expand their participation in the dairy industry.

According to the commissioner, the proposed partnership could also support the development of small and medium-scale businesses, generate employment and improve farmers’ livelihoods through stronger connections with private-sector operators.

She noted that closer engagement with local farmers and other stakeholders would be essential to ensuring that the benefits of agricultural investments extended to communities at the grassroots.

Thomas said, “One of the key areas of interest was the potential for stronger collaboration with local farmers and other stakeholders in the livestock sector.”

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She added that such partnerships would help improve farmers’ livelihoods, create employment opportunities and encourage the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises.

The commissioner stressed that the government alone could not achieve meaningful economic growth without the involvement of private-sector organisations capable of bringing investment, expertise and innovative approaches to agricultural development.

“As a government, we recognise that meaningful economic growth cannot be achieved by government efforts alone. It requires deliberate partnerships with credible private-sector organisations that share our vision for development,” she said.

Thomas said the meeting also provided an opportunity to examine practical ways of addressing challenges in the agricultural sector while creating an enabling environment for businesses to operate and expand their investments in the state.

She maintained that Kwara had considerable potential in livestock production and agriculture, adding that appropriate policies, investments and strategic partnerships could help strengthen the state’s productive capacity.

The commissioner expressed optimism that the engagement with FrieslandCampina WAMCO would lead to mutually beneficial opportunities capable of advancing the livestock sector and contributing to the state’s economic development.

She, however, acknowledged that further work would be required to translate the discussions into concrete areas of collaboration.

“Our commitment remains clear: to build a stronger livestock sector, empower our farmers, attract meaningful investment and create a more prosperous Kwara State for all,” Thomas said.