THE Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has tasked the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) to intensify research and innovation efforts in the livestock sector to enable the Federal Government establish specialised colleges for livestock development.
The Minister issued the charge when the Executive Secretary of ARCN, Professor Garba Sharubutu, led a delegation to his office in Abuja on Thursday.
Maiha stressed the need for dedicated livestock colleges, questioning whether the current agricultural colleges in the country were sufficient for Nigeria’s growing population.
“Are our agricultural colleges sufficient for our population? We must encourage the establishment of dedicated colleges for livestock and animal husbandry,” he stated.
Referencing the transformation agenda for the livestock sector, the minister pointed out the need for intensive research, breed improvement, disease management, and sustainable feeding practices.
“We want to see more focused research on livestock. We must believe in the sector’s ability to drive impactful change. Our priorities include feed and fodder development, disease and health management, traceability, and genetic improvements across species,” he added.
Maiha also underscored the urgent need for high-level intellectual manpower to meet the sector’s increasing expectations, given the strong capital investments being made.
He revealed that Nigeria has about 417 grazing reserves, which will be converted into communal ranches to reduce unrestricted cattle movement and improve livestock management.
“We are talking of massive regrassing of the countryside and we are not going to rely on the importation of grass varieties. You must give us indigenous grasses that are nutritious enough, that are hardy, tolerant, and drought resistant. This is what we are looking for. If we have ARCN, you must talk to the market.
“It is not sufficient enough you get your degree, you are a professor, and you stay in that condition with a swivel chair. Patents. We want patents. We are restructuring the livestock sector to create jobs, generate wealth, and enhance food security. We have many investors coming in, and ARCN must play a central role in this transformation,” he reiterated.
Maiha also pointed out that while agricultural crop research has advanced significantly, livestock research and education must catch up, noting, “If you look at our colleges of agriculture, most only have one or two departments focused on livestock. We must ensure they are adequately equipped to serve the sector”.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of ARCN, outlined key focus areas for the council, including research, training, extension services, collaboration, and linkages.
He acknowledged that Nigeria currently has 16 Federal Colleges of Agriculture, an inadequate number for the country’s large population. He added that plans are underway to establish more colleges, particularly in the South-East, which has the lowest number of agricultural institutions.
Sharubutu also highlighted the challenges faced by Nigeria’s 16 Agricultural Research Institutes, to include, insufficient clinical and laboratory facilities, limited funding, and understaffing
He called for stronger support and collaboration from the Ministry to overcome these hurdles and drive meaningful transformation in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
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