The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has initiated a 100-million-dollar Livestock project to be financed by a consortium of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and OPEC Fund. A mission from the Islamic Bank providing $40 million has just completed a feasibility study across the country on the project.

Dr Henry Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture informed that the next stage of appraisal begins soon. The $100 million project is expected to be part financed by OPEC Fund. The minister expressed optimism that the remaining $60 million would be provided by the fund. Speaking in same vein, Mrs Kadiatu Allie, Deputy Finance Minister informed that the livestock project would form the pillars of the Feed Salone Programme (FSP).

He added that her ministry is providing the technical team to support the project's short and long-term development. Also speaking on the project, Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, the Minister for Agriculture said that the Ministry of Agriculture has a very ambitious livestock project under the Feed Salone Programme (BIG FIVE).The Livestock project under the Feed Salone Programme according to him will be a flagship project and would help reduce importation of chicken and eggs in the country. In part, consultants have been hired and sent to the field to support the poultry sector.

The IsDB Operation Team Leader, Sabiu Auwal, explained that the bank’s mission identified activities the bank can finance and also confirmed the requirements of the government for livestock development in the country.

He assured the ministers that they would take all the information to the project preparation board, and once they got the clearance from the board, they would proceed with an appraisal mission in October.

The operation leader highlighted the proposed components, which include the empowerment of Women and Youth in Livestock, Animal Health Training, Infrastructure, Animal Vaccinations, Storage Market Facilities, Slaughterhouses, setting up Medium Size Enterprises and Capacity Building, The Financial Secretary, Matthew Dingie, expressed delight at the business side of the project. arrangement, which concerns medium-sized enterprises and how it would address repayment of the loans through deposits coming from the sales.