Enugu livestock farmers marvel at NAPRI expertise, say Institute’s AI technology a thing of pride to Nigeria
Enugu livestock farmers marvelled at the research activities carried out at National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) of Ahmadu Bello University, saying the institute’s artificial insemination technology is a “thing of pride to Nigeria”.
The Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Emeka Nzeh, who led a group of 28 livestock farmers from Enugu State for a five-day training on artificial insemination at NAPRI, described as “wonderful” the various research programmes on livestock farming.
Speaking after the farmers were taken round the various sections of the 1000-hectares institute, Prof. Nzeh stressed that NAPRI needs to be widely publicised given its resources and crop of well-trained, competent and committed staff working towards moving the frontiers of agricultural innovations for higher productivity in the livestock subsector.
Upon learning of the artificial insemination technology developed at NAPRI, according to him, Enugu government jettisoned its earlier decision to send some of them to either Egypt or Mexico for artificial insemination training.
The don praised the commitment and dedication of researchers and other staff of NAPRI, urging Ahmadu Bello University and Management of NAPRI to do more in the area of staff welfare to motivate workers for increased productivity.
Nzeh, who said that the Head of Department of Animal Science of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Dr. Igugo Raymond, was also part of the trainees, disclosed that ESUT will collaborate with NAPRI to develop its artificial insemination technology.
Prof. Nzeh lauded ESUT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, for his untiring support to ESUT Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, saying that the Vice-Chancellor recently facilitated the donation of 15,000 day-old chicks to the faculty by an individual to help boost poultry farming in the state.
The Dean also commended the Enugu State government for sponsoring the training of the 28 livestock farmers as part of effort to build more economic resources in the state.
He explained that Governor Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah-led administration in Enugu State is keen to reviving economic activities through various agricultural activities to reduce to the barest minimum the poverty level.
Prof. Nzeh further pointed out that the governor is using the state internally generated revenue (IGR) to develop the agriculture sector and to enhance other poverty alleviation projects in all parts of the state.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
(NAM)
Sunday, 1st December, 2024
