Kano govt, NIAS partner on animal feed production

THE Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has signed an agreement with the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) for pasture production in the state.

A statement by the project communication specialist, Ameen Yassar, said the partnership was the aftermath of a meeting among officials of the two organisations on the sidelines of the just-concluded National Agricultural Show, held at Karu, Nasarawa State.

The statement noted that the availability of pasture is very crucial in the development of Nigeria’s expanding livestock industry as the bulk of the animal protein such as milk and meat consumed in the country are derived from cattle and small ruminants.

Shortly after signing the agreement in Kano, the State Project Coordinator of KSADP Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad revealed that, as part of the agreement, the project has allocated four hectares of land to NIAS, at Kadawa, Garun Mallam Local Government Area, for pasture production.

“We have gotten approval from the state government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, to allot four hectares of land to NIAS, to enable the agency to develop a pasture demonstration plot, which will become a centre of excellence in the country. The more fodder we produce locally, the more pastoralists’ families we support. So, there will be no need for them to travel long distances to get pasture since the seasonal migration poses serious security risks and exposes them to economic loss,” he said.

The Registrar, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Prof. Eustace Ayemere Iyayi, said the endeavour would help in meeting the increasing demand for fodder.