The House of Representatives has mandated the Committees on Livestock and Appropriations to liaise with the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria and the Ministry of Livestock to provide funds in the 2025 Budget estimates for the revitalisation of the Swine Research Institute, Okpuje-Nsukka.
This followed the adoption of a motion titled “Revitalisation of the Swine Research Institute, Okpuje-Nsukka,” moved by Hon. Chidi Mark Obetta at the plenary session on Thursday presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
The House also mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
While moving the motion, the lawmaker said the House noted that the Swine Research Institute, Okpuje-Nsukka, was established in the early 1980s during the Shehu Shagari administration to help drive a livestock revolution in Nigeria.
“The House is aware that pig farming is a lucrative industry characterised by high reproductive rates, efficient feed conversion, and a global demand for pork products.
“The House is also aware that some of the largest pork producers in the world include 10 countries that dominate global production by utilising traditional practices with modern technologies, using innovative new breeding techniques that improve the quality of pork that meets both domestic and international standards.”
The House informed that from 2022 export records, the top exporters of pork were Spain ($5.92 billion), the United States ($5.38 billion), Germany ($3.8 billion), Canada ($2.97 billion), and Denmark ($2.89 billion).
The House also informed that Nigeria and Ghana consume over $3 billion worth of pork products annually, and 80% are imported.
The House was concerned that this 80% represents a huge demand gap in local production, thereby increasing global demand for processed pork products like sausages, hot dogs, ham, and bacon.
It worried that the Swine Research Institute, Okpuje-Nsukka, responsible for training local farmers and driving innovation in the livestock sector geared towards earning foreign exchange through the exportation of processed pork products, is facing financial difficulties due to a lack of funding.
The House said it was cognisant that the revitalisation of the Swine Research Institute, Okpuje-Nsukka, will help in training local pig farmers and earn the country foreign exchange through the exportation of processed pork products.
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