Over 50 farmers have graduated from the Farmer Field School (FFS) programme organised under the Ekiti State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), aimed at strengthening agribusiness capacity and improving livelihoods across the state.
The graduation followed a series of targeted capacity-building trainings held in different locations across Ekiti State, focusing on key livestock value chains relevant to local farmers and traders.
In Ado-Ekiti, 33 participants drawn mainly from goat and sheep trading clusters received training on Business Skills for Small Ruminant Traders. The sessions focused on record keeping, cost–benefit analysis, market access, and strategies to support sustainable business growth.
Also, 22 participants from Ikere-Ekiti benefitted from specialised training on the broiler value chain. The training exposed participants to best practices in broiler production, feed management, disease control, processing, and marketing, with the aim of improving productivity and profitability in the poultry sector.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Mr. Olayinka Adedipe, represented by the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Dr. Tajudeen Odewale, said the trainings were designed to equip farmers and livestock value chain actors with practical knowledge and skills.
According to him, “the goal is to help participants manage their enterprises as viable businesses while responding to modern market demands.”
He explained that the Farmer Field School approach encourages hands-on learning, peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, and the adoption of modern, climate-smart livestock practices. He added that the project is committed to empowering farmers, traders, and processors to increase income, reduce losses, and improve food security in Ekiti State.
Participants commended the Ekiti State Government and L-PRES for the initiative, describing the trainings as timely and impactful. Many participants pledged to apply the knowledge gained to improve their businesses and share lessons with other farmers in their communities.
The Ekiti State L-PRES continues to implement strategic interventions focused on strengthening livestock value chains, building resilience, and promoting sustainable agricultural development
