Boosting Livestock Productivity: Stakeholders advocate science-driven breeding solutions to strengthen food security and economic growth.

Ugbede James Ankpa

Biology Meets Innovation as Experts Advocate Modern Reproductive Technologies for Food Security
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s livestock and agricultural sector have been encouraged to adopt innovative reproductive technologies to enhance productivity and achieve sustainable food security.

This call was made during the Second Biennial Conference of the Society for Animal Reproduction and Improvement (SARI), themed “Sustainable Animal Reproduction for Food Security.”

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar, described the conference as timely, noting that it aligns with ongoing efforts by the newly created Ministry to reposition the livestock industry for economic growth, food security, poverty reduction, and job creation, especially for youths and women.
He disclosed that the National Economic Council had earlier approved the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) as a framework to drive transformation in the sector. According to him, meeting the ambitious growth targets would require scaling up livestock production through improved genetics, efficient animal health services, disease control, and better feeding systems.
Mukhtar emphasized that breed improvement and the conservation of indigenous livestock genetics are central pillars of the strategy. He explained that boosting productivity in cattle, sheep, goats, and swine would depend on adopting modern reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and genomic testing.
The Minister further revealed that the government plans to collaborate with SARI and other stakeholders by leveraging their expertise to implement a private sector-driven programme aimed at ensuring sustainability. He added that international organizations and investors from countries such as Brazil, South Africa, and Canada have already shown interest in partnering with the Ministry.
He also noted that efforts are underway to advance traceability, certification, and quality assurance systems to improve market access and protect consumers. These efforts include strengthening partnerships with academic institutions, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and international development partners.

Mukhtar reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to refining policy frameworks, supporting pilot projects, enhancing monitoring and compliance systems, and aligning with global best practices.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Demo Kalla of the Dairy Research and Development Centre, TETFund Centre of Excellence on Food Security at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, spoke on “Biology Meets Innovation—Advancing Animal Reproduction for Sustainable Food Security in Nigeria.” He highlighted the transformative impact of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in modern agriculture.
According to him, combining conventional and advanced reproductive techniques—including artificial insemination, embryo transfer, estrus synchronization, and cryopreservation—has significantly improved reproductive efficiency and accelerated genetic advancement in livestock such as cattle, poultry, small ruminants, and aquatic species.
Beyond agriculture, he noted that ART also plays a crucial role in human health, particularly in fertility treatments and the management of genetic diseases, underscoring the link between animal and human reproductive science.
While acknowledging the benefits of these technologies, Professor Kalla pointed out challenges such as high costs, limited access, insufficient technical expertise, and ethical concerns, which may hinder widespread adoption.
Emphasizing the importance of food security as a component of national security, he explained that by 2050, food demand in Africa is projected to grow between 2.5 and 3 times the 2015 level. He added that Africa currently spends over $35 billion on food imports annually, a figure expected to rise to $125 billion by 2050, highlighting the urgency of strengthening agricultural systems.
Professor Kalla urged practitioners and stakeholders to adopt adaptable and context-specific solutions, noting that even simple innovations can significantly improve food systems.
Also speaking at the conference, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock, Idris Abiola Ajumobi, noted that emerging technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, semen sexing, fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are enabling precision breeding.
He explained that these innovations are enhancing disease resistance, climate adaptability, and overall productivity in animal farming. He also highlighted the growing role of digital tools, including artificial intelligence, biosensors, and nanotechnology, in supporting real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and efficient herd management.
In his earlier remarks, Professor Idowu Ola described the conference as an important platform for knowledge exchange, research dissemination, and the strengthening of collaboration among academia, industry, and government stakeholders.
He stressed that the administration remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote innovation and growth in the livestock sector. According to him, the government recognizes the vital role of professional bodies like SARI in advancing research, building capacity, and facilitating policy dialogue.
Professor Ola commended the Society for its dedication to excellence in animal science and for bringing together experts and practitioners from diverse fields to address key challenges in animal reproduction and food systems.
The conference brought together researchers, policymakers, and industry players to explore practical approaches for integrating science and innovation into Nigeria’s agricultural sector in pursuit of sustainable development.