The Ekiti State Government has announced plans to set up a commercial goat farming hub in Otun Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area, to boost livestock production and improve the sheep and goat value chain.
The initiative, which falls under the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, is designed to increase farmers’ income, modernise goat markets, and expand access to local and international markets.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ado Ekiti on Monday, the State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Mr Olayinka Adedipe, explained that Otun Ekiti was strategically chosen due to its vibrant goat and sheep trading activities and existing clusters in the community.
“There is a need to modernise the goat market in Otun Ekiti to expand the business in a hygienic environment that will encourage greater participation, thereby generating income and revenue for both the people and the government,” Adedipe said.
He added that the hub would serve as a model for modern goat farming practices, offering farmers access to improved breeds, veterinary services, and modern husbandry techniques. It will also function as a training and production centre.
Also speaking, the L-PRES Value Chain Officer, Mrs Adenike Omoleye, noted that the hub would strengthen farmers’ productivity while giving them structured access to inputs, veterinary care, and reliable markets.
She explained that the hub would act as a central point for aggregating, processing, and distributing goat products across the state and beyond.
The traditional ruler of Otun Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, appreciated the government for siting the project in his domain.
He assured the state of traditional institutions’ full support to ensure sustainability and ownership, highlighting that the hub would create new economic opportunities for farmers and youth in the community.
The goat hub is expected to play a crucial role in scaling up livestock production in Ekiti State, addressing food security challenges, and creating structured markets for smallholder farmers.
By integrating veterinary services, training, and access to improved breeds, the hub will strengthen the goat and sheep value chain, modernise rural livestock practices, and provide resilience against the impacts of climate change.
Source: MSN
Image Credit: EKSG Ministry of Information
