By Fatima Muraina

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Stakeholders in Animal Husbandry Production have been called to harness the potential in the sector for economic gains.

This was the submission of participants, during the Southwest zone II meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science NIAS, held at the weekend in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

The Registrar and Chief Executive of NIAS, Prof. Eustace Iyayi who spoke with The Hope shortly after the meeting, said the institute has began to explore the opportunities in the livestock industry.

” We believe that once we have challenges, they also bring up opportunities and we are beginning to explore the opportunities” Iyayi stated.

Iyayi, who reeled out several programmes and achievements of his institute, expected participants to deliberate on the issues discussed and work on them to move the sector forward.

While expressing the importance of a five yearly strategic work plan, Iyayi stated that the plan will help reposition the profession more effectively and will help to upscale livestock production as a major contributory factor to the national economy.

The Zonal Development Officer of NIAS Southwest 2, Dr. Francisca Echie, noted that the Institute had been relating with relevant stakeholders, collaborating with them and creating a synergy between the academicians, Industry and the policy makers.

Representatives from Ekiti, Osun and the Federal College of Agriculture, FECA Rector, described NIAS as a regulatory body over Animal Husbandry practices in Nigeria.

The Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Services in Ekiti state, Mr.Olayinka Adedipe expressed the need for the professionals to take a step further on how to assist the international community as well as reviving the Nigeria economy.

The representative of the Chairman of Osun state Animal Science Association of Nigeria ASAN, Dr Ogundele Muyideen expressed satisfaction that the Mandatory Compulsory Professional Exam MCPE will be made virtual to enable professionals register and have their annual practicing license.

Head of Department, Animal Health at FECA, Dr Samuel Adeyeye, who represented the Rector noted that the college students have benefitted massively from NIAS activities which have made them core professionals in their discipline.

The Director of Livestock Services at the Ondo state Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Ojo Foluso disclosed that farmers in the state were enjoying the developmental activities of livestock production in many areas like the ultra modern broiler programmes and the pig village demonstration center.