ibironkeeniola 
Retired security operatives under the aegis of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON) Oyo state chapter, have been trained in animal husbandry, to steamroll the country’s livestock sub-sector and contribute their quota to economic growth.
The workshop which was facilitated by the Sheep and Goat Farmers Association of Nigeria (SHEGOFAN), held on Wednesday at the State Police Headquarters in the Eleyele area of Ibadan, Oyo state.
The retired policemen while been lauded for their long-standing contributions toward ensuring the security of lives and properties in the state, were also charged to venture into agriculture, rather than rely on pension funds from the government.
Making this charge at the training, National President of SHEGOFAN, Alhaji Wahabi Salami in his welcome address, advised the retired operatives to leverage on the enormous prospects embedded in the livestock industry and create an auspicious means of livelihood for themselves.
He further urged members of the association to take advantage of the workshop and put into practice, the knowledge and benefits that the training ensued.
The ARPON members were trained on the various systems in livestock farming, as well as housing and feeding management. They were also trained on health management and indigenous animal health care practices.
On how the retired operatives could fast-track their access to funds needed to kickstart their livestock farming, officials of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing system for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) were on ground to dish out to the group, their blueprint on agri-financing.
The financial institutions educated the retired policemen on their respective organization’s loan structure and how they can be accessed to finance their agribusinesses.
The workshop also had in attendance officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), key officials of NIRSAL and the BOA in Oyo, as well as key executives of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Oyo state chapter.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA