The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SMAT Farms Ltd., Mr. Suraj Ajiboye, on Monday, urged the federal government to prioritize livestock farming with a view to creating more jobs for the teeming youths and food for Nigerians.
He stated this while speaking during a two weeks programme on Development of Occupational Standard for Technical Education and Training in Husbandry organized by the Institute in conjunction with the Oluebube Logistic Limited, which held at the University of Ibadan.
Speaking on the uniqueness of Artificial Insemination to Animal Husbandry, Ajiboye noted that it improve the breeds of beef animals and local indigenous animals, saying AI cannot only be used for cattle but also goats.
According to him, it is beneficial for youths and young graduates to be involved in livestock farming, especially cattle business.
“One of the advantages artificial insemination brings is to improve the breed of our beef animals and local indigenous animals. AI cannot only be used on cattle but also goats.
“Why there has not been general acceptance of the idea is because of our orientation. We used to have milk. We used to have dairy cows in virtually every part of Nigeria but because so many things have gone wrong, we believe there should be a reset.
“I am personally hoping that President Tinubu would be able to reset this country towards the path of growth in this particular area. I have always said that the industry that can create jobs and wealth for our teeming population is livestock.”
Ajiboye, in the same vein, advocated for ranching system to be adopted in the country as it relates to animal husbandry, citing some benefits inherent in the practice.
He noted that the ranching system would assist farmer to control disease, ensure security of all their animals in such a way that they don’t transmit disease from one place to another and everyone maintains their animals in the most secured way.
“Many states have passed the bill to ensure it becomes a law. When it comes to animal husbandry, ranching is the way to go. It allows each farmer to control disease, ensure security of all their animals in such a way that animals don’t have to carry disease from one place to another and everyone maintains their animals in the most secured way.
Also speaking at the event, the first Vice President of Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Prof Akinyele Oluwatomisin Adeseyinwa has advocated Artificial Insemination (AI) of livestock as a means of improving productivity as well panacea to Farmers-herders clash nationwide.
According to him, “Artificial Insemination of livestock is a viable tool that can significantly reduce the farmers-herders clashes because it will reduce the number of physical meetings of male and female livestock.
“The male animal won’t need to meet with the female regularly because the siemen will be collected and processed; one ejaculate can be used on up to ten females depending on the volume and concentration of the siemen”
Speaking on how the system can be embraced by the people, he said, “The training that is taking place today is a case of training the trainer. So, once the individuals are properly trained, they are expected to go to the field and extend the same knowledge and technology to the people over time.
The trained ones, according to him will be encouraged to train another set of people until it gets to the farmers all around our villages and production areas.”
He added that if AI is fully embraced, it would generate more jobs for the intending livestock farmers as well as increase productivity.
