The Kwara State Government on Thursday began a statewide capacity-building and study tour for livestock farmers in Ilorin, launching a hands-on effort to modernise animal production and strengthen food security in line with the Federal Government’s livestock development agenda.

The programme, which drew participants from all 16 local government areas, opened with a study visit to Milkin Barn Dairy Farm, a private facility recognised for contemporary ranching and animal husbandry practices.

It is designed to expose farmers to proven management techniques, raise productivity, and encourage sustainable livestock operations across the state.

Leading the delegation of 35 farmers and government officials, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Ayobola Thomas, said the initiative is central to the state’s plan to build a commercially viable livestock industry.

“This training and coaching tour is designed to standardise and deepen the application of good ranching practices across farms in Kwara State. Our goal is to ensure farmers adopt sustainable methods that improve output, enhance food security, and support economic growth,” Thomas said.

She urged participants to translate lessons from the tour into measurable improvements on their farms, particularly in efficiency and profitability.

The Director of Livestock Services at the ministry, Alhaji Muhammed Umar Ahmed, explained that the programme mirrors national priorities under the Federal Government’s National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, which emphasises improved breeding systems, structured ranching, disease control, and sustainable feed management to boost food availability and curb farmer–herder conflicts.

At the host facility, Milkin Barn Agroserv Managing Director, Mr. Tony Jibunoh, encouraged farmers to embrace innovation and technology, stressing that higher efficiency is critical to meeting Nigeria’s rising demand for animal protein.

Participants described the tour as practical and illuminating, citing new insights into pasture development, feed formulation, breeding techniques, and modern animal care.

The study tour comes amid renewed federal and state efforts to reposition livestock as a driver of food security, job creation, and economic diversification, with Kwara seeking to translate policy into on-farm results through direct farmer engagement.