The Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) has cautioned that focusing solely on crop production will not guarantee food security in the country, stressing the urgent need for balanced investment in both crop and livestock production.
Delivering his remarks at the maiden edition of the ASAN Week and World Egg Day 2025 Celebration in Benin City, the Edo State Chairman of the Association, Mr. Peter Uidia Aikhuomobhogbe, said neglecting the livestock subsector continues to undermine Nigeria’s agricultural progress and its ability to attain sustainable food security.
Aikhuomobhogbe, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Food, observed that while successive governments have advanced technology dissemination in crop production, little attention has been given to livestock development.
According to him, “The livestock subsector holds the key to unlocking immense economic potential, ensuring food security, and creating sustainable livelihoods for millions of Nigerians.”
He, however, lamented that the sector faces major challenges ranging from high feed costs and climate change to recurring animal diseases and weak regulatory structures.
“These challenges cannot be addressed in isolation,” he noted. “The academic community cannot solve them from the laboratory alone, the farmer cannot overcome them from the farm alone, and the government cannot regulate them from the office without working closely with all stakeholders.”
Speaking on the theme of the celebration, “From Lab to Farm: Forging a Stronger Handshake Between Animal Science Academia and Public Service for a Thriving Livestock Sector,” Aikhuomobhogbe emphasized the need to close the communication gap between researchers, policymakers, and farmers.
“For too long, a gap has existed between the groundbreaking research conducted in our academic institutions and the realities faced by farmers. The handshake between the researcher who develops a climate-resilient breed and the farmer who needs it to survive a drought has often been weak,” he said.
He explained that the association intends to strengthen collaboration across the agricultural value chain to ensure that research findings reach end users and improve productivity within the livestock sector.
In a goodwill message, the Acting Provost of the Edo State College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Iguoriakhi, Dr. Andrew Omosefe, commended ASAN for uniting key stakeholders to promote agricultural development in the state.
Represented by Ms. Sonia Obazee, the College’s Public Relations Officer, Omosefe said the event’s theme aligns with the SHINE Agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration, which prioritizes innovation and stakeholder synergy in agriculture.
The event also featured technical sessions, including a lecture on “Climate-Smart Livestock Production” by Prof. Musibau Bamikole of the University of Benin and Mr. David Bamigboye, Managing Director of Animal Healthcare Centre, Benin City.
However, another presentation on “Biosecurity, Animal Health, and Disease Prevention” was delivered by Prof. James Imasuen of the University of Benin and Dr. Haruna Thomas, Director of Veterinary Services, Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The celebration concluded with the presentation of awards to outstanding industry contributors, including Sir Francis Uujamhen, Managing Director of FEM Farms, who was honored as Industry Champion, and Mr. David Bamigboye, who received the Young Agro Innovator award.
