Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) for an end to sharp practices in Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Programme engagements with pastoralists.
The association gave the advice on Tuesday in a statement signed by its National President, Khalil Mohammed Bello.
Bello, in the statement said: “It is regrettable and unfortunate that many people mistakenly believe that dealing with pastoralists or herders, who primarily reside in rural areas due to their occupation and cultural practices, involves engaging with individuals who can be easily deceived or exploited.
“In this regard, the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) programme is a concerning example of where such unacceptable practices occur.”
Bello lamented that: “These actions contradict the policies of the World Bank, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our Northern Governors, which aim to promote livestock productivity and value chains. This initiative led to the introduction of L-PRES in Nigeria by the World Bank, launched at Fadama 3, House Wuse Abuja, in 2017, where I was among the critical stakeholders present.”
He said: “KACRAN strongly condemns how L-PRES is currently managed in most Northern States collaborating with the World Bank. Except for Gombe and Nasarawa States, which strive to ensure pastoralists are the main beneficiaries, the project is largely hijacked by implementers who prioritize their own families over pastoralist women who have long been part of the dairy industry.
“Another concerning issue is how certain officials, entrusted by their states, have ignored pastoralist stakeholders when selecting beneficiaries. They invite firms to train women with no ties to the dairy industry and involve media to falsely portray the programme’s success.”
He alleged that: “This situation occurred in a state where I was invited to an L-PRES training programme. Upon discovering the selection criteria, I condemned the practice of allocating only 10 slots to pastoralist women out of 200 beneficiaries. This prompted this press statement to urge the World Bank and Northern Governors to comprehensively review L-PRES operations in Nigeria.”
He added that: “KACRAN fears that if the programme continues to be managed manipulatively, it will ultimately fail.”
Bello said: “We demand answers from the L-PRES implementers in Nigeria: Why are stakeholders not engaged during beneficiary selection, contrary to World Bank practices?; Are they aware that it is deceitful to train irrelevant participants as beneficiaries of the L-PRES programme?; Is it not a waste to train women unfamiliar with the dairy business in a program meant to enhance the dairy milk value chain?
“Why is there a shift towards benefiting friends and family instead of promoting the dairy milk industry in Nigeria?; Do they realize the programme’s potential ripple effect on economic resilience and community livelihoods?”
He insisted that: “KACRAN remains committed to ending these sharp practices and urges L-PRES management to engage stakeholders in beneficiary selection. We call on Northern State Governors to emulate Gombe State’s approach and ensure pastoralist women are the true beneficiaries.
“We also appeal to Northern Governors yet to partner with the World Bank to do so and oversee the program’s execution diligently.”
He explained that: “For those unfamiliar with L-PRES, it is a six-year project aimed at improving livestock productivity, resilience, and commercialization of value chains, also strengthening the country’s response to crises.
“Livestock plays a vital role in Nigeria’s economy and poverty alleviation, employing 30% of the rural population. L-PRES focuses on selected value chains, including the beef cattle value chain, to drive local development and support indigenous industries. It emphasizes the sheep and goat value chain, committing to fortifying smallholder marketing systems.”
He lamented that the aims and objectives of L-PRES are being undermined by self-centered implementers, as observed in many participating states. “We urge all involved to prioritize the program's true beneficiaries.”
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