Group targets ₦4bn livestock export value
Sarafina Christopher
Mrs Khuraira Musa, the President, Livestock Value Chain for Youth and Women Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, has pledged that the group would be a model for participatory rural development and wealth creation.
She said to achieve this, the society aimed to record over ₦4 billion in livestock export within the next 36 months.
Musa said this on Friday during the virtual inauguration of the cooperative society.
“This cooperative was born out of necessity. Our communities and rural farmers are struggling in silence.
“Youths eager to farm but they are not being supported; women are holding families together with limited tools and recognition.
“This is a platform for economic empowerment, food security, and dignified livelihoods,” she said.
Musa also pledged commitment to uphold transparency, accountability and community ownership.
Mr Mohammed Sodangi, Director of Membership & Community Mobilisation, explained that membership of the society would be strictly by referral by an existing member.
He said such referral would also be vetted by its Membership Committee before approval by the General Assembly.
“We are not just running a cooperative we are rewriting the future of rural Nigeria where livestock becomes a ladder to peace, prosperity, and progress.
“We believe that with a visionary leadership and a strong commitment to sustainable development, the society is set to serve as a blueprint for inclusive national growth,” he said.
The Head, Directorate of Marketing & Export, Dr Dasuki Kabir, said the group had produced a 12-month roadmap designed to enhance the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s livestock products.
The strategy, according to him, targets several key markets, including Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Egypt.
He said in carrying out its activities, the society would pay close attention to ethics and corporate social responsibilities market research, product certification, cold-chain logistics infrastructure and branding and packaging.
“Social responsibility remains a central aspect of the cooperative’s mission.
“It encompasses initiatives such as interest-free loans, guaranteed off-take agreements and revolving funds aimed at supporting smallholder livestock producers,” Kabir said.
He said that the group would also focus on capacity building and ethical governance.
To achieve that, he said, it would provide training in livestock handling, animal welfare, feed formulation, sustainable practices, bookkeeping, cooperative governance, and agri-tech and digital literacy.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Uche Anunne
