Ajogbe Foods, FUNAAB, UWS Partner on Livestock Feed Innovation

The Executive Chairman of Ajogbe Agro Allied Industry, Mr. Bosoye Olalere, says research carried out under the African AgriFood Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the University of the West of Scotland, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and Ajogbe Agro-Allied Industries Limited has improved the company’s capacity to produce ruminant feed using locally available agricultural by-products.

Olalere spoke at the public presentation of the research titled *“Developing Cost-Effective Feeds from Locally Available Crop Residues and Agro-industrial By-products for Livestock in South West Nigeria,”* held at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. He said the collaboration has given the company commercial-level expertise in feed production and supports its plan to build a beef ecosystem in the South-West.

The tripartite research and business collaboration was funded by UK Research and Innovation through Innovate UK to support the Ajogbe Beef Value Chain with research-based innovations in livestock feed. The project started in November 2023 and ended in October 2025.

Its objective was to maximise crop residues and agro-industrial by-products to produce cost-effective and nutritious livestock feed in Nigeria.

The wrap-up meeting marked the completion of the project and was used to present research outcomes and commercialisation plans to stakeholders, while also exploring continued collaboration on livestock feed innovation through research and training.

Olalere said Ajogbe’s operations include cattle breeding, feed production, crop cultivation, processing, and logistics, aimed at creating a self-sustaining livestock value chain. He added that the partnership exposed the company to improved breeding and feeding techniques that increase cattle weight and feed conversion efficiency.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Professor Babatunde Kehinde, commended the project team for translating research into practical solutions. Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Professor Olawale Dairo, he said the collaboration between African and European institutions reflects the university’s focus on applied research and innovation.

Earlier, the project team lead for the African AgriFood Knowledge Transfer Partnership at FUNAAB, Professor Adebayo Shittu, said the initiative helped link research with industry application and created pathways for livestock feed development.

Also speaking, Professor Christian Harrison of the University of the West of Scotland stressed the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in promoting innovation and economic development.

The Programme Manager of the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme, Alhaji Akinlawon Olalekan, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the project connects research with practical use and could serve as a model for similar initiatives across Nigeria.