Kano State Agro-pastoral Project (KSADP) has spent about 800 million naira ($530,000) on training programmes for farmers, livestock technicians and project workers to strengthen the state’s livestock economy, the project coordinator said.
“The training aims to ensure that the beneficiaries can effectively contribute to executing the project’s development objective and ensuring sustainability after the project’s closure,” Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, KSADP’s coordinator, said at the opening of a workshop on artificial insemination in Kadawa.
The programmes are designed to build capacity in animal husbandry, insemination, and livestock management. “It is part of the broader objective of the project to re-introduce artificial insemination, towards ensuring sustainable livestock development in the state,” Garba said.
Kano, one of Nigeria’s main livestock hubs, recorded over 1.73 trillion naira ($1.1 billion) in livestock contributions to its GDP in 2023, with more than 3.8 million households engaged in cattle, goats and sheep farming, according to state data.
Garba said the project, funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, has also renovated the Kadawa Artificial Insemination Centre, procured five exotic bulls and provided modern equipment to improve efficiency. He added that 125 million naira has been earmarked to further upgrade the centre, including a new fodder farm to ensure feed supply.
He urged participants to justify the investment by applying their training to improve breeding and milk production.
One trainee, Sulaiman Audu, said the programme would have “a positive impact” on his work and career.
The training, delivered in collaboration with the Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology in Kano, covers both theoretical and practical aspects of artificial insemination, including semen collection, freezing, storage, animal health, breed selection and record-keeping.