UNICAL academic backs local livestock for food security
By Ekanem ASUQUO
A professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics at the University of Calabar, Prof. Affiong Joseph Henry, has urged Nigeria to fully harness its indigenous livestock and poultry breeds as a sustainable strategy to strengthen food security.
Prof. Affiong made the call while delivering the 154th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Calabar at the Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre. Her lecture, titled “Unlocking Potential: The Interplay of Genes, Environment and Phenotype in Animal Breeding and Sustainable Livestock Production,” focused on how science and innovation can transform the livestock sector.
She said Nigeria’s local livestock breeds possess unique genetic traits and are well adapted to various agro ecological zones, making them valuable assets for increasing productivity and meeting the growing demand for animal protein.
According to her, deliberate breeding and genetic improvement of indigenous livestock can significantly boost output while ensuring sustainability. She stressed the need for policies that support the conservation and improvement of animal genetic resources, urging government and stakeholders to prioritise livestock development.
The professor also emphasised that reforms in the livestock sector must be inclusive and gender sensitive, covering all segments of the value chain. She called for incentives for farmers and other custodians of animal genetic resources to encourage conservation and improvement of indigenous species.
Prof. Affiong highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability, noting that the environment plays a critical role in animal production. She advocated the cautious adoption of genome editing technologies, supported by clear regulatory frameworks to ensure safety and precision.
She further recommended modern phenotyping methods, including automated sensor based measurements, image analysis and spectral technologies, for effective large scale livestock improvement.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, described the lecture as timely and insightful, noting that it provided practical solutions to Nigeria’s food security challenges.
He invited agriculturists and livestock experts to collaborate with the university to revive the Unical farm and make it a model for teaching, research and agricultural development.
The well attended lecture concluded with the presentation of a memento to the inaugural lecturer.
