The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Professor Garba Sharubutu, has said that the protein intake of many Nigerians is far below the recommended global standards.
Sharubutu said this during the 61st Founder’s Day and pre-convocation lecture of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan, on Thursday, April 3.
Themed: “Bridging Past and Future: Advancing Animal Production and Health Through Science, Technology and Policy in Nigeria”, the scholar who spoke through the Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute, NIHORT, Ibadan, Professor Muhammed Lawal Attanda, asserted that protein intake in Nigeria was far below the health standard known globally.
He explained that the global standard recommended an intake of 64 grams of protein but Nigeria is currently at 35 grams, thereby advising agricultural institutions, agriculturalists and other stakeholders to work hard and bridge the gap.
While charging agricultural institutions and researchers to work out modalities to bridge the gap, Sharubutu said: “As we speak currently, Nigeria’s protein intake is far below the recommendation of the global standards.
“The global standard recommended protein intake of 64 grams, and currently, we have 35 grams in Nigeria. So, there are enough jobs for graduates of this institution to do.
“They should not look for jobs with their certificates. They should go into the production of proteins. It can be chicken or small ruminants. They have the technology.
“The graduates of this institution and other schools should go into animal production so that they can bridge the gap. They should bridge the gap in the protein supply. That is what we are saying.
“My message to the management of the institution is that all the technologies they have should be used so that animal production can improve. The citizens should patronise our local products.
“Local products we are patronising will help to boost the economy. We should take the bull by the horns so that we can produce enough food for us, the citizens, to eat. We should ensure that no citizen of this country goes to bed hungry”, he said.
The Guest Speaker, Professor Samuel Soladoye Abiola, identified cattle rustling, farmers/ herders conflicts and limited access to financial support as the major challenges facing animal production in the country.
He called on the governments at all levels to make policies and provide the necessary support to farmers across the country, noting that “this will help to address the challenges facing the sector”.
