NSAP President Calls for Policies to Address Impact of Climate Change on Livestock Production in Nigeria

The President of The Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP) has urged the implementation of purposeful measures and policies to counteract the adverse effects of climate change on livestock production in the country.

Prof. Francis Abeke, the President of NSAP, emphasized this plea on Tuesday during the 12th Joint Annual Meeting of the Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) and the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) in Abuja. He stressed the indispensability of such actions for Nigeria to realize its vision and mission of ensuring the availability of affordable animal protein for its citizens.

Abeke underscored the significant impact of climate change on animal agriculture, asserting the need for increased reliance on science, smart science, and cutting-edge technology to revitalize the sector. He reiterated the society's dedication to meeting the nutritional needs of Nigerians by providing sufficient animal protein in their diets.

Highlighting the collective determination within the livestock industry, Abeke called for a united effort among stakeholders to strategize and synergize, aiming for a resilient livestock industry in Nigeria. He also appealed to all levels of government to intensify their endeavors in creating a conducive production environment through well-crafted policies and enhancing funding for this crucial sector of the economy.

“The current low scale and almost subsistent production system cannot meet the animal protein need of the vast and growing population of Nigerians and for export.

“I strongly believe that as we put on our thinking caps and brainstorm on the various challenges facing the livestock industry during this conference; we will come out with a workable solution,” he said

On his part, Prof. Baba Yusuf, President, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, said food and nutrition security was very critical and central to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government,

He said NIAS as a regulatory body in the livestock sub-sector, would continue to strive to be very innovative, strategic and transformational

Yusuf pledged the Institute's commitment to work with all stakeholders from Govemment, Academia and, particularly, the industry, in order to be more impactful

“As animal scientists, we must make extra efforts towards building bridges of hope, tolerance, cooperation and unity across our profession

“This is the only way for Animal Agriculture to fully unleash its potential and relevance towards the economic growth of our country.” he said