From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Federal Government has concluded an arrangement to set up an integrated piggery farming and processing initiative as Special Agro Processing Zone in Benue State.

The Minister of Livestock Development Alh Idi Maiha who disclosed this at the weekend, maintained that the Federal Government would upgrade the Benue swine and crop improvement project, in Yadav, Gboko LGA area of the state. Maiha, who visited the Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yadev, Gboko LGA to access the piggery farm, stated that the facility would be upgraded to meet the needs of the people. He expressed satisfaction with the existing swine project adding that the initiative was noble and would be upgraded and sustained to meet the needs of the people.He said the farm would be upgraded to operate at its full capacity of 3000 pig holding, regretting that at the moment only 79 pigs were in the farm.He said it would be a reproductive center where piglets would be produced for out growers to buy.He said the place would encourage more genetics, adding that at the moment they have only three types of breeds at the farm; large white, duroc and landrace.The Minister further said that FG would also encourage the establishment of a small modular processing unit where pig meat can be process, packaged amongst others for sale.At the Benue Livestock Investigation and Breeding Center, Raav, Gwer East LGA, the Minister urged the Benue State Government, through the Bureau of Livestock Development, to clear 500 hectares out of the over 3,000 hectares available at Raav for livestock fodder production (grass cultivation).He emphasized that this initiative would not only enhance fodder availability for the facility but also support other markets and create export opportunities.The minister visited the International Cattle Market, Makurdi and held a close door meeting with stakeholders in the livestock industry at Hub 17 Innovation Space Makurdi.He further assured that Raav has the potential to serve the nation and pledged to enhance capacity building and introduce modern breeding systems.He, however, regretted that a facility with over 2400 hectares now has only 37 animals, adding that all the facilities at the center were dilapidated and needed total rehabilitation.The Minister said a committee would be set up to suggest ways to have facilities such as pens, isolation centers, maternity pens, deep and other auxiliary facilities like housing, chalets because it was going to be a research center.He explained that the center would collaborate with the Joseph Sarwua Tarka University Makurdi for research purposes.Speaking on the visit, Dr Aondoakaa Asambe, Director General, Benue Bureau for Livestock Development, Trans Border and Animal Control, said this was the Governor’s vision for the creation of the bureau.Asambe said the State Government believed that with ranches, most of the security challenges facing the State would be addressed and farmers would return to their ancestral homesHe said it was a pragmatic step taken by the Governor to create a reliable livestock industry in the state to bring recipes to the people.He commended governor Alia for giving support to the bureau so as to actualize its mandate in the livestock sector.