The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) has taken a significant step towards boosting Nigeria's livestock industry with the launch of its Forage Genetic Resource (FGR) centre. The centre, located at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) headquarters in Ibadan, will house over 80 cultivars and accessions of tropically adapted and improved forage for livestock in Nigeria and West Africa.
The FGR centre is an extension of a global forage genebank and aims to enhance the productivity and profitability of smallholder and other livestock systems in Nigeria. According to Dr. Simeon Ehui, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, the centre will support the development of pasture and livestock production in Nigeria, bolster the Federal Government's efforts to curb the herders-farmers crisis, and promote food and nutrition security.
The centre will also establish genetic resources plots to produce forage seeds for farmers and researchers, and develop forage varieties suitable for all livestock in Nigeria. This will enhance pasture production and provide a reliable source of high-quality forage for livestock systems.
The launch of the FGR centre was marked by a hands-on activity where various pasture varieties were planted on the newly established resources plot. This demonstrated ILRI's commitment to promoting sustainable pasture production and highlighted the practical applications of research efforts.
Stakeholders at the launch emphasized the importance of research institutes partnering with universities to train young people in maximizing innovation in the sector. They also highlighted the need for ILRI to leverage extension activities to facilitate knowledge transfer to smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
The FGR centre is a significant milestone in ILRI's journey towards improving food and nutrition security and reducing poverty in developing countries. With its focus on sustainable livestock systems, the centre is poised to make a positive impact on the livestock industry in Nigeria and West Africa.
In conclusion, the launch of ILRI's Forage Genetic Resource centre is a significant step towards boosting Nigeria's livestock industry. The centre's focus on sustainable pasture production, genetic resources, and knowledge transfer will support the development of the livestock sector and promote food and nutrition security in Nigeria and West Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment
What's do you think about this News Story? Share your thoughts here, let's learn together...