Efforts by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in Taraba State to attract private sector investment, strengthen livestock value chains and position the state’s Livestock Service Centre (LSC) as a hub for livestock development are beginning to yield positive results.

This followed an investment sensitization tour undertaken by an L-PRES delegation led by the State Project Coordinator. The team comprised the Financial Management Officer, Value Chain and Market Linkage Officer, Animal Health Service Officer and Animal Husbandry Service Officer.

The delegation visited major livestock and dairy enterprises across Taraba and Adamawa states, including Sebore Farms, Admiral A Milk Collection Centre in Mayo-Belwa, Dabareje Farms, Bagobiri Farms, Ardo Yahaya Milk Collection and Processing Centre, and the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association Multipurpose Cooperative Society (NVMA MPCS) in Nguroje and Mutum Biu.

According to the project team, the visits were aimed at showcasing investment opportunities at the Taraba State Livestock Service Centre and fostering strategic partnerships capable of enhancing livestock production, processing and marketing across the region.

During a visit to Sebore Farms in Adamawa State, the delegation was received by the company’s General Manager, Mr. Suleiman Abbas, alongside other senior management staff.

Representing the State Project Coordinator, the Value Chain and Market Linkage Officer outlined the vision behind the Livestock Service Centre and highlighted ongoing infrastructure development efforts by L-PRES, including the provision of access roads, electricity, water supply, perimeter fencing and an administrative block.

Responding, Abbas described the engagement as timely and strategic, revealing that Taraba State currently supplies about 35 per cent of the milk processed by Sebore Farms into products such as yoghurt, cheese, butter and ghee.

He disclosed that the company currently produces approximately 1,500 litres of yoghurt daily, representing only about 20 per cent of its installed production capacity.

Abbas further explained that Sebore Farms operates milk collection centres in Sunkani, Maisamari, Turakeke and Gembu, with Sunkani serving as its major operational hub. He noted that Sunkani is also the designated location for the Taraba State Livestock Service Centre.

The Sebore Farms boss announced plans to establish a modern milk collection centre and a one-stop livestock service facility in Sunkani, while exploring opportunities to replicate the company’s successful dairy business model in Taraba State.

He expressed appreciation to the L-PRES team for the engagement and pledged the company’s readiness to invest in the Livestock Service Centre. He added that a delegation from Sebore Farms would soon visit Taraba to advance discussions and finalise investment arrangements.

The delegation was later taken on a guided tour of the facility, where members observed various dairy production units and operational processes.

At the Admiral A Milk Collection Centre in Mayo-Belwa, the team was received by the Centre Manager, Mr. Abdulrasheed, who explained that the facility handles milk collection, quality testing, cooling and transportation to Sebore Farms for processing.

According to him, milk is cooled to between four and six degrees Celsius before being transported for further processing into yoghurt and other dairy products.

Abdulrasheed also highlighted the centre’s cooperative-based clustering model, which organises pastoralists into groups and supports them with training, veterinary services, motorcycles and milking cans to improve milk collection and supply.

He noted that the centre purchases milk at competitive rates and offers performance-based incentives to both individual pastoralists and cooperatives.

Members of the delegation inspected the facility and expressed particular interest in the locally fabricated motorcycle-mounted milking cans used by pastoralists for transporting milk.

The investment sensitisation tour also featured engagements with Ardo Yahaya Global Ventures, Bagobiri Private Slaughter Facility, Sardauna Farms, Mutum Biu Farms and officials of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Taraba State Chapter.

L-PRES officials said the outreach forms part of broader efforts to deepen private sector participation in the livestock sector, strengthen value chains and transform the Taraba State Livestock Service Centre into a strategic hub for livestock development, processing and investment in the North-East region.