A Professor of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Uma Kalu Oke has said that the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Tinubu on July 9, 2024 has not solved animal protein crises in the country.
He also called for unbundling of National Animal Production Research Institute, NAPRI, Zaria, Kaduna State and the establishment of a research centre in the South East for development of local animal species.
Professor Oke stated this on Wednesday while delivering the 66th Inaugural Lecture of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.
He declared that the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development was a good policy but cannot achieve the desired goal of the President in availability of quality protein if there was no collaboration between the farmers, researchers, the University of Agriculture and the Federal government.
“The goals for the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock can only be achieved when there is collaboration between the farmers, the researchers, the university and the government.
“NAPRI, which is the only animal research institute, should be unbundled to allow the development of other animal species.
“They can allow the development of poultry or piggery research institutes in the South East and finance breeding research,” he said.
He identified the development of indigenous animal species as a panacea for quality protein crises in the country.
The Professor also downplayed the warnings from medical doctors about too much consumption of animal protein in Nigeria, saying that Nigerians have not even reached the Food and Agriculture Organization, FOA, recommendations level.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe lamented that many Nigerians can no longer buy quality chicken because of lack of money.
Establishment of livestock development ministry not solution to protein crisis – Don tells FG
