BOA, Three States Partner Canadian Govt on Multi-million Dollar Project

Jonathan Eze

The Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Alhaji Adamu Kabir Mohammed has initiated plans to partner the Canadian government on a multi-million dollars ultra- modern Agricultural projects in three states -Kano, Benue and Abia.

The projects will focus mainly on the design and development of a fully integrated production system in the pilot states. It is envisioned that this would be fashioned after the successful Canadian Agricultural System while taking into account the specific needs of the Nigerian climate and economic goals.

Areas including animal production; breeding, dairy and pasture development will be widely explored, followed by the extensive implementation of technologies that will enable the realisation of various benefits of the value chains from animal by-products including; leather ware production, cosmetic production, pharmaceutical production, methane capturing , bio friendly adhesive production etc. Hence, creating additional employment opportunities for those not directly involved in animal production.

In a statement made available to THISDAY, there are plans to cross breed local livestock with the various suitable livestock breeds which Canada has to offer with a goal to improve animal slaughter weight and boost Fresh milk production.
Pasture Development using the Canadian Bio-Farms Management system is expected to improve yield and is aimed at providing suitable cost effective alternatives to nomadic grazing.

The Project will witness adequate trainings being organised by Canadian Agriculture institutes including the Olds Agricultural College, Alberta, Canada for those directly involved in Cattle Raring/Animal production thereby facilitating full technology transfer on the long run.

With the full support of the Canadian Deputy High Commission in Nigeria, the Project is directly being supervised by Mrs. Sarah Branco; the Canadian Trade Commissioner in Nigeria and the Key facilitators are Fin-Jake Global Ventures Nig Ltd (F.J Global Ltd) and Finn-Lake Ltd Canada (The Fieldberg Group), with the support of LP Consults and Projects Nig Ltd alongside the various Commissioners of Agriculture and Rural Development of the three states.