The Ekiti State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project has officially commenced its groundbreaking cluster formation program, covering all 16 local government areas. This strategic move is designed to elevate livestock farming by enhancing productivity, fostering resilience, and promoting collaboration among farmers.

At a launch event in Ikere Ekiti, the L-PRES Value Chain Officer, Mrs. Adenike Omoleye, highlighted the immense potential of cluster farming. According to her, farmers operating within clusters can benefit from shared resources, knowledge exchange, and collective best practices, ultimately leading to improved productivity and higher profitability.

Omoleye delved into market dynamics, identifying gaps in the livestock value chain and proposing strategies to bridge them. Among these strategies are market linkages to connect farmers with processors, buyers, and other key stakeholders, ensuring a seamless value chain. She also emphasized the importance of profiling farms to encourage wider participation.

The initiative plans to merge existing groups and cooperative societies into specialized clusters focusing on poultry, sheep/goats, pigs, and beef. L-PRES will engage only organized groups, ensuring streamlined collaboration and impactful results.

Mrs. Olubunmi Ajayi, the L-PRES Extension Officer, reiterated the project’s commitment to providing hands-on technical support to farmers. “We aim to understand farmers’ needs and equip them with the tools and expertise to maximize their livestock production,” she stated.

Adding to the discussion, the Animal Husbandry Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adelodun, stressed the importance of sustainable practices. He called on farmers to adopt environmentally friendly methods to ensure long-term viability and growth in livestock farming.

The cluster formation initiative has started in the South Central District and will be extended across the state. As a six-year program, L-PRES is focused on improving productivity, resilience, and commercialization within Ekiti’s livestock industry, aiming to transform farming into a more profitable and sustainable endeavor.