How animal science institute fared in 2013

Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) said it has recorded significant successes in implementing its mandate for the regulation of animal science practice and all matters pertaining to animal husbandry in Nigeria.

Professor Placid Njoku, President of the institute in a statement made available to journalists, said the Institute facilitated several states and local government councils to develop and implement appropriate animal husbandry policies and programmes that will mitigate the age long challenges of breeder stock, feed ingredients and finished feed quality, animal management and animal product processing.

The statement said the Institute works have manifested themselves in the growing confidence of livestock farmers and the expansion of their investments.

The statement cited the example of Akin Sateru Farms Ltd in Lagos, which installed the most technologically updated extruder valued at over N250million for producing high quality poultry and fish feed.

Through the support of NIAS, Oyo, Kwara and Osun states in 2013 joined several other states that have created separate departments for animal husbandry services and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is likely to join this league soon, it noted.

NIAS has maintained very effective linkages with the livestock industry and its allied associations, assisting them to manage these contingent expansions with greater efficiency.

In 2013, the Institute said 146 new animal scientists were registered, licensed and inducted, bringing the number of Registered Animal Scientists (RAS) to a total of 1,451 in four years. 395 young graduates of animal science from 15 universities were inducted as graduate animal scientists.

Professor Njoku stressed that the Institute has placed Nigeria on the world map as it championed the formation of the World Organization of Animal Husbandry.