Daniel Adaji
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, on Wednesday, launched new pasture seed processing, hay storage and water facilities at the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika-Zaria, Kaduna State, in a move aimed at boosting livestock productivity and strengthening national food security.
The facilities, provided under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and are designed to address long-standing challenges in feed availability, pasture development and water access for livestock research and production.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister stressed the central role of feed and pasture development in transforming the livestock sector.
“Feed and pasture development remain critical to improving livestock productivity in Nigeria. These facilities are meant to support NAPRI to deliver practical, demand-driven solutions that will strengthen animal production systems and enhance food security,” he said.
He described the new infrastructure as strategic investments that must translate research outcomes into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
“NAPRI must continue to lead in developing and disseminating innovations that support commercial, competitive and environmentally friendly animal production systems. Our focus is to ensure that research outcomes translate into real value for farmers, jobs for our youth, and improved livelihoods for Nigerians,” Mukhtar stated.
The commissioned infrastructure includes a 500-tonnes-per-annum hay barn, a single-line pasture seed processing unit with a capacity of 10 tonnes per hour, a 20-tonnes-per-annum pasture seed drying shade, and four solar-powered boreholes with drinking troughs within NAPRI. An additional solar-powered borehole was also provided at one of the Institute’s outstations in Yobe State.
Charging NAPRI to maximise the opportunities presented by the new facilities, the Minister urged the Institute to deepen its role as a centre of excellence for livestock research, innovation and technology dissemination. He also stressed the need for market-driven research, stronger partnerships and the commercialisation of innovations to unlock the full potential of the livestock value chain.
Earlier, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, explained that the interventions fall under Component One of the project, which focuses on institutional and innovation system strengthening.
“These facilities are part of our commitment to building the capacity of key institutions like NAPRI to support research, policy formulation and practical solutions for livestock development,” he said.
Abubakar disclosed that further upgrades are underway at NAPRI, including improvements to artificial insemination and embryo transfer facilities, dairy and poultry units, and indigenous sheep and goat projects. He added that the World Bank has rated the project satisfactory, with prospects for additional financing and expanded interventions.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, pledged the University’s support for the Minister’s vision, noting that NAPRI remains central to national efforts to modernise livestock production, address climate challenges and strengthen food systems.
Similarly, the Acting Director of NAPRI, Prof. Mohammed Rabiu Hassan, expressed full commitment to ensuring that the facilities are optimally utilised for research, innovation and dissemination of practical solutions that enhance livestock productivity and national food security.
The Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Dr. Auwal Mustapha Imam, highlighted plans to scale up production in view of the improved quality of livestock breeds, while emphasising efforts to patent innovations and promote commercialisation through strategic private sector partnerships.
The event attracted senior government officials, including the Special Adviser to the President and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform Initiative, Prof. Attahiru Jega, directors of the Ministry, university management, traditional rulers, members of the academic community and other key stakeholders.
