By Abdallah el-Kurebe
ASHENEWS reports that a joint research between the laboratory for Geoecology and Sustainable Food System (GeoLab), the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), and the Biospheric Scientific Nigeria Limited (BioSci), has led to the introduction of special goats and sheep breeds in Nigeria.
In efforts to contribute to food security in Nigeria, the project tagged, “Unlocking the Potentials of Indigenous Goats and Sheep Using Climate Smart Agriculture Innovations,” has debuted FUTASA goats and sheep, which are now in the market and already becoming the choice meat source of discerning and health conscious individuals.
The meat derivable from the breeds is the healthiest of all red meats, having low fat, calories, low cholesterol and high in protein.
This online platform reports that there are three indigenous goat breeds in the franchise programme including the West African dwarf, the Savannah, and the large Sahel goats. The large Sahel goat is a dual-purpose goat with diary capacity of 0.5 liters per day for between 90 to 100 days.
The focal person of the project, Professor Ahmed Balogun of the Department of Meteorology and Climate Science of FUTA, said the project, which kick-started in 2021, has developed innovative sustainable goat and sheep breeding strategies.
According to him, the breeds developed through painstaking research, are disease resistant and fast growing.
“They are also low maintenance hybrid variety of goats and sheep from indigenous breeds.
“Sustainable Climate Smart Commercial Goat/Sheep farming is an emerging agribusiness that can be developed into an efficient value chain.
“The collaboration, is a climate-smart sustainable commercial indigenous goats and sheep production franchise. The project is also able to provide technical support from production to marketing to individuals who are interested in the business of producing and marketing the special breeds of goats and sheep,” Prof. Balogun said.
GeoLab is a laboratory in FUTA’s Department of Metereology and Climate Science, School of Earth and Mineral Science.
According to the FUTA Geolab lead Researcher, Professor Balogun, “It is a weather-based index assurance for crops and other agricultural products. The major drive behind the establishment of the Geoecology lab is to understand the relationship between the environment and agriculture which is only possible by acquiring real data and information from farmers.
“The lab demonstrates the implications and effects of climate change on animal and crop yield and to find sustainable solutions to farmers’ problems. It is a facility that provides short courses for farmers and extension workers to learn how to provide services. It is also structured to provide ICT support and innovations for farmers.”
