The Ebonyi State Government has announced plans to inaugurate an integrated ranch as part of the implementation of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRESS) programme.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs. Nkechinyere Iyioku, made the announcement in Abakaliki during a visit by the L-PRESS Implementation Support Mission team.
According to Iyioku, the ranch, which is expected to be launched before the team’s next visit in July, will mark the full commencement of the programme in Ebonyi.
> "We have secured a site for the project, and both its design and funding are in place," she said.
"Everyone will be proud of the launch of this signature project in the state."
She added that the state would implement all recommendations made by the mission to ensure Ebonyi becomes the leading L-PRESS implementing state in Nigeria.
"They recommended the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to guarantee sustainability beyond our tenure," Iyioku noted.
"We sincerely thank Governor Francis Nwifuru for his unwavering support of the programme and his broader commitment to agricultural development in Ebonyi."
Leader of the Implementation Support Mission, Mr. Wasiu Adeoye, said the team includes representatives from the programme’s National Coordinating Office, the World Bank, and the Development Bank of Nigeria, among others.
"We are here in Ebonyi to assess the progress of the L-PRESS office, evaluate team cohesion, and identify any challenges being faced," Adeoye explained.
"We will thoroughly analyze and address any issues observed during this visit."
He commended the Ebonyi L-PRESS team for their resilience in the face of initial difficulties.
"The challenges are understandable, given that Ebonyi is among the last batch of implementing states.
They're on a steep learning curve, especially since their responsibilities are technical and go beyond what is taught in the classroom.
"We have, however, developed frameworks to guide and support them for more effective service delivery."
Also speaking, Mr. Victor Nwite, the State Programme Coordinator of L-PRESS, said the insights gained from the visit would be used to strengthen the programme’s implementation.
