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Thu, Mar

Resuscitate The National Animal Production Research Institutes, Prof Ahamefule Calls On FG

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A Professor at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State has called on Federal Government to take urgent measures to revive the National Animal Production Research Institutes in the country.

Francis Ahamefule, a professor of Animal Production at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Umuahia on Thursday.

 

“National Animal Production Research Institute, Zaria had the initial mandate to breed, select and supply improved males to interested farmers. Not much progress has been made in this direction. Similarly, National Veterinary Research Institute,  Jos researches into sheep and goat diseases and develops appropriate diagnostic and investigatory services as well as producing vaccine for disease control. Unfortunately, the services and influence of these institutes are hardly felt at the rural environment where the WAD goat is reared,’’.

 

The lecturer, who said he had carried out an extensive research on WAD goat, disclosed that the small ruminant breed had staggering potentials capable of meeting the animal protein needs of over 60 million Nigerians.

 

“Until research findings concerning the WAD goat and other livestock species begin to find expression in our smallholder animal units, mixed farm enterprises and integrated animal farms, the food security we clamour for would continue to remain a mirage.’’ He said.

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