Livestock farmers from Ekiti State are gaining new business skills and financial support through a regional training program organized by the Development Bank of Nigeria(DBN), an initiative aimed at strengthening small and medium-size agribusinesses in the livestock sector.

The training, held in Akure, the capital of neighboring Ondo State, brought together farmers from Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo and Edo States for a series of sessions focused on business development planning, financial management and access to credit — areas many small-scale livestock producers struggle to navigate.

At the end of the program, participants completed an examination designed to test their understanding of the training modules.

Farmers from Ekiti State recorded the highest score in the regional group, achieving 92 percent.

Organizers said the result reflected the state’s growing efforts to improve livestock production and strengthen agribusiness development.

High point of the program was the award of a ₦1 million grant to Tieerade Allied Farm Ltd., a livestock enterprise in Ekiti State, to support the expansion of its production capacity.

The funding is expected to improve the farm’s operations and increase output.

The Ekiti State Project Coordinator for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project( L-PRES), Mr Olayinka Adedipe lauded the initiative and the role of the World Bank and the Development Bank of Nigeria in supporting livestock farmers through training and financial assistance.

“These kinds of programs help farmers build the knowledge and financial access they need to grow sustainable agribusinesses,” the coordinator said.

Rt. Hon Tope Ademiluyi, principal partner of Tieerade Allied Farm Ltd., said the grant would significantly improve the farm’s production capacity.

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He added that the support would be used to expand livestock operations, create jobs and strengthen the livestock value chain in Ekiti State.

Programs like the training in Akure are part of broader efforts to equip farmers with the skills, financing and technical knowledge needed to build more resilient livestock enterprises and improve food security across the region.