Report by ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
The federal government has been urged to encourage interministerial collaboration between Ministry of agriculture and the ministry of Science and technology in animal reproductive innovations to boost livestock production and strengthen national food security.
Professor Lukman Raji of the Department of Theriogeneology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, made the call while delivering the institution 287th Inaugural lecture “themed Theriogeneologist’s Account: Insights Into Gender Effects In Veterinary Reproduction” held at the University Auditorium in Ilorin.
He said the National Livestock Transformation Plan(NLTP) should explicitly allocate funding and operational roles for veterinary reproduction expert to achieve the desired result.
Professor Raji said the science of animal reproduction should be recognised as a strategic pillar in the nations livestock development agenda, noting that fertility optimisation is as vital as nutrition or disease control.
He called for the decentralization of reproductive technology access for semen collection, evaluation and that cryopreservation centres should be established in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The university don said the centres should also house facilities for semen analysis, extender preparation using locally available materials like honey and milk, cold chain storage and distribution logistics.
He explained that the centers can serve as a training hubs for veterinarians, paravets, and livestock officers embedding semen science into practical field applications.
Professor Raji said community cooperatives and pastoralists must be engaged as both contributors and beneficiaries.
He appealed to government to offer subsidised artificial insemination services to rural farmers using proven extenders honey based skim milk and synchronised ovulation protocols.
According to him, reproductive indicators such as abortion rates, dystocia frequency,semen abnormalities and hormonal disruption should be integrated into one health surveillance platforms.
He maintained that the indicators are often early warning of zoonotic infections , environmental toxicity and climate induced stressors.
Professor Raji said the nations veterinary education should evolve to meet modern reproductive science needs.
He advocated for the design of an inclusive programme by government and Non governmental organisations to train certify and empower women as para-theriogenologists.