The Humanitarian Times

By Abdulkareem Haruna
The Borno State Livestock Management Agency (BOLMA), in collaboration with Grazac International Ltd, has organised a three-day CowSignals training programme aimed at improving animal welfare, livestock productivity, and profitability across the state.

CowSignals training is a globally recognized educational concept and professional development program designed for dairy farmers, farm managers, veterinarians, and agricultural advisors. Developed in the Netherlands by veterinarians Dr. Jan Hulsen and Dr. Joep Driessen, the core philosophy of the training is to look at dairy farming entirely from the cow’s perspective.

The training, held at the Mohammed Lawan College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, was themed “Seeing More, Improving More: Using CowSignals to Improve Animal Welfare, Productivity and Profitability in Borno State.”
Representing the Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Livestock Development, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur, the Adviser to the Governor on Livestock Development, Alhaji Tijjani Goni Mohammed, stated that the initiative aligns with Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s commitment to transforming the state’s livestock sector.

He noted that the administration has established BOLMA, supported the development of three RUGA settlements across the three senatorial zones, and provided modern equipment and basic infrastructure to boost production.
According to him, synergies between the Ministry and BOLMA have driven significant progress in animal multiplication, crossbreeding, and capacity building for stakeholders. He commended the BOLMA Director-General, Dr. Bukar Ali Usman, and Grazac International Ltd for facilitating the timely programme.

Enhancing farm management and animal welfare
In his welcome address, Dr. Usman described the workshop as a crucial capacity-building intervention designed to sharpen cattle observation, reproductive performance, and overall farm management.

He explained that the CowSignals approach leverages the “Look, Think, Act” framework, empowering livestock professionals to observe animals objectively, interpret behavioural cues, and implement effective welfare measures.

“The training goes beyond a classroom exercise; participants are expected to apply these insights directly on farms and livestock operations across the state,” Dr. Usman said, adding that dedicated social media platforms will connect facilitators, participants, and farmers for continued knowledge sharing.

The Chief Executive Officer of Grazac International Ltd and Chief Trainer, Olusegun Okeowo, emphasised the shift toward a more commercial, data-driven, and welfare-conscious livestock system.

He noted that the curriculum covered cattle behaviour, welfare indicators, observation techniques, and the “six key freedom areas”—feed, water, light, air, rest, and space. According to him, the training is designed to strengthen early disease detection, improve cattle comfort, reduce avoidable losses, and standardise farm management routines.

The Provost of the Mohammed Lawan College of Agriculture, Prof. Abba Makinta, expressed delight at hosting the programme. He urged participants to translate the lessons learned into practical actions on farms and within their communities, noting that the true impact of the workshop will be measured by its real-world implementation.

The three-day programme concluded with a renewed call for sustained collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions, and private sector stakeholders to modernise livestock production in Borno State.