Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, has directed the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) to step up research and innovation activities in the livestock industry so that the Federal Government can build specialised livestock development colleges.
The Minister made the claim when ARCN’s Executive Secretary, Professor Garba Sharubutu, led a delegation to his office in Abuja on Thursday.
Maiha emphasised the importance of specialist livestock schools and questioned whether Nigeria’s current agricultural colleges could meet the country’s expanding population needs.
“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 substantial 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, hardy, tolerant, and drought-resistant. This is what we are looking for. If we have ARCN, you must talk to the market about it.
“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 further stated that while agricultural crop research has evolved greatly, livestock research and education must catch up. “If you look at our colleges of agriculture, most only have one or two departments focusing on livestock. We must ensure that they are appropriately equipped to serve the sector.”
In his remarks, ARCN’s Executive Secretary underlined important council priority areas such as research, training, extension services, collaboration, and linkages.
He admitted that Nigeria now has only 16 Federal Colleges of Agriculture, which is insufficient given the country’s vast population. He noted that preparations are underway to construct more colleges, particularly in the South-East, which has the fewest agricultural institutions.
Sharubutu also emphasised the issues encountered by Nigeria’s 16 Agricultural Research Institutes, such as inadequate clinical and laboratory facilities, restricted funding, and understaffing.
He urged the Ministry to provide more support and collaboration to overcome these obstacles and achieve significant reform in Nigeria’s agriculture industry.
Source: Tribune Online
