The Katsina State Department of Livestock and Grazing Reserves, in collaboration with the Katsina State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KTARDA) and the Community Development Programme (CDP), has launched a one-day capacity building training for 756 agricultural extension workers and community development officers (CDOs) on basic counselling needs for successful livestock farming.
Hikaya Newspaper reports that the programme was held across the three senatorial zones of the state, beginning in Katsina zone on Monday, August 18, then in Funtua zone on Tuesday, August 19, and concluded in Daura zone on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Livestock and Grazing Reserves, Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Jibia, explained that the training was designed to educate participants on modern livestock farming techniques currently in use across the world.
He highlighted the efforts of Governor Dikko Radda’s administration to improve livestock production in the state, including the distribution of improved goat breeds to women and communities, routine livestock vaccination, and the establishment of modern goat breeding centres.
Similarly, the Chairman of KTARDA, Alhaji Abubakar Dabo, stated that having a governor who is an expert in agriculture is a source of pride for Katsina State. He noted that before the administration of Governor Radda, the state had fewer than 100 agricultural extension workers, but the government has now recruited over 700 across all 34 local government areas to strengthen agricultural development.
In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Community Development Programme (CDP), Dr. Kamala Kabir, described extension workers as pillars of rural development and key drivers in implementing the CDP initiative. He urged them to work hand in hand with CDOs to achieve the set goals of agricultural and livestock development in the state.
The training drew participants from all 34 local government areas of Katsina State, with stakeholders stressing that the programme would help strengthen agricultural practices, address livestock challenges, and enhance food security for the people of the state.