From pasture to prosperity: How L-PRES is reshaping Kwara’s livestock sector

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin –

The livestock industry in Kwara is poised to experience a positive transformation, as the state’s backed Livestock Productivity & Resilience Project (L-PRES) begins to deliver measurable impact. What was once a sector marked by persistent operational challenges for herders and smallholder farmers is now experiencing steady improvements driven by enhanced practices, increased productivity, and renewed economic prospects.

Launched by the World Bank, L-PRES is a six-year initiative designed to modernize cattle, sheep, goat, and chicken rearing. States receive funding as a loan repayable over 30 years. Since its launch in Kwara in December 2023, the state has accessed $8.1 million from a national fund of $500 million, aiming to bolster livestock productivity and generate returns comparable to oil revenues, particularly in the wake of the federal government’s leather export ban.

“This project is changing the way we rear livestock in Kwara,” says Mr. Olusoji Oyawoye, the state’s L-PRES coordinator. He explains that the initiative goes beyond funding—it equips farmers with skills, modern practices, and knowledge, enhancing capacity within the state and across Nigeria. Kwara has prioritized cattle, sheep, and goats, recognizing their enormous economic potential.

The program, Oyawoye notes, was initiated by the previous administration but experienced a two-year delay before official implementation under the new government. “We have accessed $8.1 million so far. The World Bank provides this as a loan to the state government, and good performance unlocks additional funding,” he says. The initial target of $20 million reflects the program’s ambitious scope.

Beyond financial support, L-PRES addresses long-standing herder-farmer conflicts. Water scarcity, a major source of tension, has been tackled through solar-powered boreholes and watering troughs along the Oyo-Kwara border. “Before this intervention, herders would travel four hours in search of water. These facilities reduce conflict and improve livestock wellbeing,” Oyawoye explains.

Feed innovation is another key focus. Farmers are trained to use crop residues from cassava, maize, and other crops as supplementary feed. While natural pasture remains ideal, these blended feeds have proven effective, boosting milk production. “Our cattle used to produce about one liter of milk per day. With these interventions, production has increased,” Oyawoye notes.

The human impact of L-PRES is equally striking. Over 2,000 people have been trained, including pastoralists, school leavers, professors, retired civil servants, and police officers. Specialists from the Center for Dryland Agriculture at Bayero University, Kano, lead sessions on feed processing, livestock management, and commercialization. Beneficiaries are selected based on merit, regardless of origin.

Sustainability is central to the project. Beneficiaries are responsible for maintaining structures such as abattoirs and slaughter slabs, while clustered interventions address funding limitations. Meeting market demand remains a challenge, particularly for goats, given the global reputation of Nigerian breeds—especially Sokoto goats.

To facilitate expansion, L-PRES includes a loan component via the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), alongside partnerships with the Ministry of Youth Development, Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, National Agricultural Development Fund, and UBA, ensuring access to financing even for less-resourced farmers.

As L-PRES continues to reshape livestock practices in Kwara, the state—and Nigeria at large—stands to witness a sector that not only sustains livelihoods but also contributes meaningfully to the nation’s economy by the program’s conclusion in 2028.