Nigerian online livestock platform Livestock247 launches cashless service to promote security in markets
NIGERIA – Livestock247, Nigeria’s 1st online livestock platform utilized to undertake buying and selling of live livestock, processed meat and other livestock management services, is set to introduce a cashless rural livestock market.
LivestockXpress will be launched in partnership with Zenith Bank Plc, aimed to offer a safe and secure platform to undertake livestock trading.
The introduction of the new service follows the upsurge in criminal activities in Northern Nigeria, where livestock markets have become soft spots for insurgents, rural bandits, and kidnappers.
The multi-billion Naira livestock trading business takes place on weekly basis in various locations in Nigeria but mostly in the northern part.
“When we launched Livestock247 in 2018, we knew that technology had a role to play in solving the many challenges in the ecosystem. One that stood out was the issue of cash transactions at rural livestock markets,” said Ibrahim Maigari Ahmadu – Co-founder and CEO of the company.
The new service will enable the buyer and sellers not have to carry cash to any livestock market.
“We are bringing banking services to them. All that is needed is a specially developed credit/debit card,” highlighted Ibrahim.
The company has deployed specially configured POS terminals, designed to work off-grid. To undertake the transaction, smallholder rural livestock farmers will open bank accounts in which they can deposit, transfer, and withdraw money.
“This product will eliminate cash from our rural markets, promote rural security, enhance commerce, deepen financial inclusion, and empower smallholder rural farmers, especially women.”
Ibrahim Maigari Ahmadu – Co-founder and CEO Livestock247
Livestock merchants can send money to any livestock market from anywhere, at any time, and get/receive value instantly.
“This product will eliminate cash from our rural markets, promote rural security, enhance commerce, deepen financial inclusion, and empower smallholder rural farmers, especially women,” added Ibrahim.
The herd conflict in the country has been rampant with the Federal Government of Nigeria recently appointing Cownexxion, an international dairy farming consultant to kick-start the National Livestock Transformation Plan.
According to Klaas StruiksmaView Klaas Struiksma, CEO Cownexxion the focus of the 3-year project will be on feed production, development of knowledge and skills and the transformation of management in a bid to curb the escalating menace.
It will first be undertaken in the states of Nasarawa, Plateau, Gombe and Adamawa, with pilot farms established in each of the locations. The farms will act as a training centre for farmers and extension workers.
Cownexxion will work together with the Nigerian Federal and State teams, led by Dr. Andrew Kwasari.
Meanwhile, a Nigerian firm, Rabelat Limited has partnered with Instituto Daniel Franco, a Brazilian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to set up a centre for animal husbandry in Kwara State.
The collaboration is aimed to serve the same purpose as that of the NLTP of resolving herdsmen and farmers clashes in parts of the country.
The centre, which is expected to have an abattoir, international cattle market and entrepreneurial training institution, will create 50,000 jobs for youth and others in the country.
