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 farmers’ livelihoods across the state.
The State 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.
According to the commissioner, the meeting focused on identifying investment opportunities and exploring areas of collaboration in livestock production and agricultural development.
Thomas said the proposed partnership would create opportunities for local livestock farmers to access modern agricultural practices, improve productivity and expand their participation in the dairy industry.
She explained that private-sector investment could also support the development of small and medium-scale businesses, generate employment and improve farmers’ incomes through stronger connections with established industry operators.
The commissioner stressed that engaging local farmers and other stakeholders would be essential to ensuring that the benefits of agricultural investments reached communities at the grassroots.
She said, “One of the key areas of interest was the potential for stronger collaboration with local farmers and other stakeholders in the livestock sector.”
Thomas noted that government alone could not achieve meaningful economic growth without the involvement of private-sector organisations capable of providing 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.
She added that the meeting provided an opportunity to examine practical solutions to challenges confronting the agricultural sector while creating an enabling environment for businesses to operate and expand their investments.
The commissioner maintained that Kwara had considerable potential in livestock production, noting that appropriate policies, investments and strategic partnerships would help strengthen the state’s productive capacity.
She said the government remained committed to attracting investors and developing a sustainable livestock industry that would create economic opportunities for farmers and other stakeholders.
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