How Nigeria can achieve food security through livestock production — Unilorin Don

For Nigeria to achieve food security through livestock production, a registered animal scientist, Professor Foluke Eunice Sola-Ojo of the department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin has said that there must be full cooperation between the government, farmers, and the communities.

Speaking with journalists on the sideline of the 268th inaugural lecture of the University of Ilorin, which she titled, ‘’The Beauty and Beast in Genetic Diversity”, the university don said that preservation of the nation’s livestock is very important for continuous production of animal protein for the teeming Nigerian population.

She also said that the conservation procedure will involve having accurate data about the exact population of different livestock species in the country and enforcing controlled usage for the preservation of their germ plasm for the next generation.

“To achieve stable food security, conservation of farm animal genetic resources must be taken beyond academic exercise because it is very important for biological, economic, cultural, and social roles”, Professor Sola-Ojo, who is the first female Professor of the Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin said.

Sola-Ojo said that genetic diversity can assist in improving livestock production in Nigeria, adding that livestock genetic diversity is important to understand variation in farm animals which can be exploited for their improvement so that they can meet the current protein requirement of man.

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“Genetic diversity will enable the selection of superior genotypes for sustained genetic improvement, and facilitate rapid adaptation to changing breeding objectives.

“Production efficiency in livestock species is increased through diverse genetic types and in poultry, breeding decisions are taken after intense selection for favourable traits that could lead to a high production rate through the use of diverse production lines.”

Professor of Animal Science also expressed optimism that establishment of the new Ministry of Livestock Development will afford Nigeria to have a strong policy that will be executed for the preservation of livestock germ plasm, and data bank.

“This is highly recommended as it will aid in the animal breeding and genetic resource management sector. And remove the challenges of low production, restricted genetic diversity, and unsustainable animal breeding techniques.

“It will also lead to sustainable breeding and conservation, increase productivity, safeguard genetic resources, and support sustainable livestock development.

While giving a highlight of her inaugural lecture, titled, ‘’The Beauty and Beast in Genetic Diversity, Sola-Ojo said that the total sum of variations or differences that occur in living things is termed genetic diversity

“It is the differences in phenotypic, biochemical and molecular markers which influences adaptability, behavioral/character, susceptibility and resistance to disease etc. and it is the beauty that leads to continuity of life, because in every beauty lie a beast and in every beast there are beautiful genes/traits, genetic diversity revealed both the beauty and beast.

As a geneticist, the university professor said that her research focuses on understanding the genetic diversity, performance, and conservation of indigenous poultry in Nigeria using quantitative, molecular, and functional genetics approaches.

She is studying the Fulani Ecotype chickens and other indigenous poultry species for genetic improvement to aid continuously meat and egg production.

She has an interest in studying the responses of Nigeria’s exotic broiler chickens to varying environmental and management conditions.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE