The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has been ceded 20-hectare plots of land by the Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) for fodder seed multiplication exercise. The land is located at the Dudduru Grazing Reserve in Ajingi Local Government Area of the state.
The handover comes after KSADP first gave an N88, 049, 970 million worth contract to NAPRI in September 2020 to establish a 20-hectare seed multiplication scheme. The development is expected to be the starting point of large-scale commercial fodder production in the state.
Fodder crops are important for the development of Nigeria’s livestock industry as they serve as feed for the animals that in turn, produce protein such as milk and meat products. The contract, which runs for four years, covers the establishment and management of seed plots, construction of storage facilities, security rooms, drying sheds, boreholes, installation of irrigation facilities and perimeter fencing.
In addition to this, the State Project Coordinator, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad revealed that the cultivated seeds will also be planted at Dansoshiya Forest in Kiru LGA to provide 4,000 hectares of pasture. According to him, this will reduce the seasonal movement of pastoral families from Kano to other parts of the country in search of feed and water.
Muhammad also assured pastoralists who settle in the reserve that their homesteads and stock routes would not be affected by the seed multiplication exercise.
