THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AND UNIVERSITIES OF AGRICULTURE IN IMPROVING ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The role of any responsible Government of a country is to seek after the welfare of its citizens. The improvement of animal production and consumption falls within this broad objective since it borders on the provision of adequate
nourishment for the normal growth and productivity of citizens, which are key elements for social harmony and economic development. As the saying goes, suffering is mamma/ far any 7e with f d to eat. In Nigeria the daily
animal protein intake from livestock in 1993 for which data is available was 3.245 g/caput/ day, compared with the value of 27.2 g/caput/day recommended by the FAO. In as much as such a huge gap exists between recommended and actual intakes of livestock products, Government still has a major role to play. The role of Movement in livestock production and consumption has not been static but has evolved from colonial times to the present day. At various times, such role has included formulation and implementation of relevant policies and statutes, provision of essential infrastructure, institution of livestock support services and even involvement in direct production. It has also involved promotional activities to encourage livestock production. The three Universities of Agriculture at Abeokuta, Makurdi and Umudike were established between 1988 and 1992 and constitute a key element of Government's strategy to achieve a transformation of Nigerian agriculture including livestock production. This is being achieved by the Universities through their tripod mandate of teaching, research and extension. It should be made clear at the outset that other groups, organizations and individuals, apart from Government, play major roles in the livestock industry. These include the farmers who control the overwhelming proportion of the national herd, livestock feed and inputs manufacturers and marketers, individuals and Companies involved with livestock products processing and marketing, Farmers' organizations and Professional bodies such as the Nigerian Society for Animal Production, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association and the Animal Science Association of Nigeria. This underlies the fact that livestock development is a collective responsibility.