The Taraba State Government has commissioned critical livestock infrastructure and distributed productive assets to beneficiaries under the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, reinforcing efforts to improve food security, expand livelihoods and strengthen the state’s livestock economy.
The commissioning, which took place at the Veterinary Hospital Complex in Jalingo, was led by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, who said the intervention reflects the state government’s resolve to reposition livestock production as a key driver of economic growth and rural development.
The facilities inaugurated include a Disease Surveillance Laboratory, a solar-powered cold chain facility, an Artificial Insemination Centre and a milk cooling van. According to the commissioner, the new infrastructure is expected to significantly improve animal health management, disease detection and control, livestock productivity and adherence to the One Health approach that links animal, human and environmental health.
Beyond infrastructure, the state government also distributed 200 fodder choppers and 30 motorcycles to livestock farmers and extension service providers. The commissioner explained that these assets would help improve feed processing, raise productivity levels and strengthen extension services, particularly in hard-to-reach rural communities where many small-scale livestock producers operate.
He commended the L-PRES State Coordinating Office for its implementation efforts and acknowledged the support of the Federal Government and development partners, especially the World Bank. He urged beneficiaries to use the facilities and assets responsibly to ensure lasting impact and community-wide benefits.
The State Project Coordinator described the commissioning as a major milestone in the implementation of L-PRES in Taraba State, noting that the project has made targeted investments across key livestock value chains, including cattle, sheep and goats, poultry and dairy, across all 16 local government areas of the state.
He recalled that similar interventions were carried out in November 2024, when fodder choppers and pasture seeds were distributed to livestock cooperatives, adding that the current phase builds on those earlier efforts. According to him, the newly commissioned facilities were designed to address long-standing gaps in disease surveillance, vaccine storage, genetic improvement, dairy value chain development and extension service delivery.
He further explained that the motorcycles would improve access to remote livestock communities, while the fodder choppers would enhance feed efficiency, especially during the dry season when feed scarcity often affects productivity. These improvements, he said, would directly benefit smallholder livestock farmers and agribusinesses that rely on consistent supply and quality.
The project coordinator also disclosed plans to enter into a Public-Private Partnership arrangement through a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure effective management and long-term sustainability of the facilities within the Veterinary Hospital premises. He assured stakeholders that additional investments in infrastructure, capacity building, market systems and resilience-focused interventions are planned in the remaining years of the project.
Both officials praised the leadership of the state governor and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a resilient, competitive and inclusive livestock sector that can support food security, create jobs and unlock opportunities for small businesses across Taraba State.
