By Juliana Agbo

lmproved technology and innovation must be applied to promote production, processing and animal agricultural trade in Nigeria, the Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) and the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) have said.

The duo noted that the industry has a huge potential for youth employment, capable of aiding national economic rebirth.

Addressing newsmen during a press conference in Abuja at the weekend, Registrar of NIAS, Prof. Eustace Iyayi, said the current high import bill on animal products and its derivatives in the face of comparative advantage is an unsustainable trend.

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While noting that that its forth coming 9th Joint Annual Meeting would address challenges of animal husbandry to enhance livestock production for economic development in Nigeria, he said it would also be useful for policy alignment by government.

He added that it will help engender developmental research, innovation, and engagement for economic renaissance with animal agriculture as the pivot.

He said that the Nigerian animal husbandry industry has been stunted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of necessary support structure over the years compared to other aspects of agricultural practices.

According to Iyayi, there are over 6,000 registered trained animal scientists with the institute and the value of the industry stands at about N13 trillion.