The minister of agriculture and food security, Hon. Abubakar Kyari, has said that the livestock sector contributes five percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP) and about 17 percent of the agricultural gross domestic product.

Kyari disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the second batch training of 100 extension agents and farmers on small ruminant production and crop residue processing for improved utilisation by ruminants, held at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), Ilorin, Kwara State.

The minister, who acknowledged the contributions of extension agents and farmers to livestock production, explained that the initiative's goals were to increase animal production productivity and save costs.

He urged the participants to work with the farmers for better results.

Kyari also acknowledged the Kwara State government's giant stride in livestock development.

The minister was represented at the event by his special assistant on Livestock Development, Innovation and Security, Dr Mustapha Popoola.

Earlier, the national coordinator of L-PRES, Mr Sanusi Abubakar, said that capacity building for the extension agents and farmers would greatly help achieve the project development objectives of L-PRES.

He assured the participants that the national coordination office would continue to support the project to ensure the actualisation of its core responsibilities in the state.

Represented by Mr Ellu Daniel, Abubakar urged the participants to put the knowledge acquired from the 5-day training into proper utilisation to improve productivity in the livestock business in the country.