In an area where clean water access is often a challenge, a new drilling project promises to transform the lives of the Luumo Kosam Dairy Cooperative members in Chukun, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The Value Chain Foundation initiated this project with financial backing from ECOWAS and the Swiss Cooperation (DDC), as part of the Regional Program for Support to Farmer Organizations (PRAOP).
The initiative aims to provide youth employment opportunities through enhanced dairy and fodder production. This goal will be achieved by boosting local milk production via family dairy farms establishment and cows and calves management, increasing feed and forage availability and accessibility, and facilitating knowledge sharing among dairy farmers and stakeholders.
Upon completion, the project is expected to create 22 direct jobs, produce 400 tons of fodder, train 600 youths from 100 households and ten young individuals. It also plans to connect 100 households to inputs and services such as feed, forage, medications, veterinary services, artificial insemination. Additionally, it aims to link 100 households to governments, development partners, milk supply with an additional daily production of 300 liters of raw milk. Beneficiaries' income is projected to increase by about 200%.
Like many other rural areas in Nigeria, the Chukun region faces challenges in accessing clean water which often impedes agricultural activities and limits development opportunities. The Luumo Kosam Dairy Cooperative members primarily comprise livestock farmers who heavily rely on water access for their herds' health and productivity. This new drilling provides a reliable water source essential for cooperative members and livestock watering which will enhance their primary livelihood source.
The drilling handover to the Luumo Kosam Dairy Cooperative in Chukun marks a significant step towards promoting youth employability and improving cooperative members' living conditions. Better-nourished animals will lead to increased milk production thereby creating more job opportunities for youth through significant milk collection, processing, and marketing.
By combining basic water needs satisfaction with the creation of employment and training opportunities for youth, this initiative marks an important milestone in supporting local livestock farmers and promoting youth employability in the agricultural sector. This project exemplifies ECOWAS's commitment to sustainable and inclusive development in West Africa, offering new perspectives and renewed hope for Chukun's youth in Nigeria.
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