The Federal Government has said it would upgrade the Benue swine and crop improvement project in Yadev town of Gboko Local Government Area to full capacity.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Alh. Idi Maiha, stated this on Saturday when he visited the project site at Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yadev.

Maiha said that already the government had planned to operate an integrated piggery farming and processing initiative in the state.

The minister who expressed satisfaction with the existing project also said the initiative was noble and it would be upgraded and sustained to satisfy the people.

According to him, the farm would be upgraded to operate at its full capacity of 3000 pigs, as opposed to the 79 pigs that presently exist on the farm.

“It will be a reproductive centre where piglets will be produced for outgrowers to buy,’’ he said.

He said when upgraded, the farm would encourage more genetic productions instead of the three types of breeds, large white, duroc and landrace, available in the farm.

The minister, however, said that the Federal Government would also encourage the establishment of a small modular processing unit where pig meat can be processed and packaged for sale.

“We are going to leverage technology here; we are going to bring different genetics to crossbreed with our local ones so that we have faster, bigger-growing pigs.

“We are also going to use this place as a centre for learning. We’ll ensure availability of feeds; we need cooperatives for the outgrower system so that they can be fully integrated into the livestock business.

“Benue is very active in piggery. The government will also support the revitalisation of the poultry sector in the state.

“Benue is a large agricultural state; it is the food basket of the nation, so we are also going to focus on the development of pastures in the state,” he pledged.

In his address, Dr Aondoakaa Asambe, Director General, Benue Bureau for Livestock Development, Transboundary and Animal Control, said pigs have both cultural and economic value for the people of the state.

Asambe said the state government would utilise the Federal Government’s support to maximise the full potential of the livestock sector. (NAN)