From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Experts in animal science have warned that climate change is posing a great challenge to Nigeria’s agricultural yield, thus advocating adoption of “climate smart agriculture” to meet the demand for food and animal protein.
The experts dropped the warning at the 12th Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN), and the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) joint annual meeting and 28th ASAN conference in Abuja.
President of NIAS, Prof. Baba Yusuf Abubakar, said in his welcome remarks, that the theme of the meeting, “Pathways to Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change in Animal Agriculture” was very apt considering the current global challenges facing food production systems.
Prof. Abubakar noted that the issue of food and nutrition security are very critical and central to the Government, stating that as a regulatory body in the livestock sub-sector, NIAS will continue to strive to be very innovative, strategic and transformational.
He promised that NIAS will work with all stakeholders from government, academia and, particularly, the industry, in order to be more impactful, and as animal scientists, they would ensure that extra efforts is made towards building bridges of hope, tolerance, cooperation and unity across the profession.
On his part, the President of the Nigeria Society for Animal Production (NSAP), Prof. Francis Abeke, pledged the commitment of NSAP to stand by ASAN and NIAS in achieving their set goals and producing the animal protein needs of Nigerians.
Prof. Abeke stressed the need to bring in more heat tolerant animals in the face of climate change, warning that subsistent nature of animal production in Nigeria cannot meet the protein needs of the country, while calling for robust funding of the sector.
He, therefore, called on all tiers of government to redouble their efforts in providing suitable production environment through policies as well as improving the funding of this important sector of the economy.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdulahi, in his remarks, noted that northern Nigeria is hounded by desert encroachment on once arable land, while southern Nigeria is pounded by the rising tide of coastal flooding and erosion.
He insisted that the country must come to grips with not only mitigating climate change but raising its level of preparedness by putting in place policies and strategies that support climate smart agriculture.
He said for Nigerians to have access to balanced and wholesome diet, the livestock sub-sector of the economy must be made viable enough not only to provide affordable source of protein but create employment and earn foreign exchange for Nigeria.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, maintained that Federal Government was genuinely concerned about Nigeria’s food insecurity situation, and is doing everything possible to ensure access to affordable and nutritious food on a sustainable basis.
Ganduje, who was honoured with an award by ASAN and NIAS, stated that time has come for all stakeholders to join hands and close ranks to think out how animal husbandry can achieve a quantum leap.
While stressing the importance of agriculture in providing livelihood for citizens, he noted that livestock sector contributes nearly 40 per cent of total agricultural output in developed countries and 20 per cent in developing ones, thus supporting the livelihood of at least 1.3 billion people worldwide.