By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, April 3, ’25 (TNZ) A veterinary nutritionist, Prof. Kehinde Soetan, has called on agricultural research stakeholders in the animal production value-chain to work together in crashing the cost of animal feeds.
TheNewsZenith reports that Soetan, a Veterinary Nutritional Biochemist from the University of Ibadan, made the call during the 21st Society for Underutilised Legumes (SUL) Academic Lecture Series, held virtually.
He decried the rising cost of animal feeds in Nigeria, saying it threatens the nation’s food security.
The title of the lecture series is “Underutilised Legumes as Viable Sources of Animal Feeds: Challenges and the Way Forward”.
Soetan is a Veterinary Nutritional Biochemist from the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Ibadan.
He also doubles as the National Vice-President 1 of SUL.
“Underutilised Legumes, if well exploited, could serve as viable sources of animal feeds.
“It can also serve as a good alternative to the conventional sources of animal feeds.
“This can bring down the cost of animal production and reduce the cost of animal proteins,” TheNewsZenith quotes Soetan as saying.
Our correspondent reports that participants discussed numerous challenges militating against underutilised legumes as sources of animal feeds.
In his welcome address, SUL National President Dr Adegboyega Taofeek remarked that the focal point of the webinar “is of greater national economic significance to the country”.
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Taofeek said it aimed at diversification from import dependence on feeds and food for our animals to reliance on available treasures.
Such a treasure, he noted, would provide foreign exchange, protect human and animal health and meet local consumption needs.
“The soaring costs of feed have inflicted considerable strain on farmers, jeopardising their competitiveness both locally and globally.
“This is, potentially, leading to market share losses and economic setbacks.
“Addressing this challenge demands a multifaceted approach, considering factors like efficacy, durability, and nutritional adequacy.
“Expanding feed and fodder production capacity emerges as a pivotal strategy,” TheNewsZenith quotes Taofeek as saying.
Hence, he noted that the incorporation of lesser-utilised legumes was an important source of animal feed.
“This will go a long way in supporting the FGN’s efforts to boost the economy through agricultural productivity.”
The SUL chief said the webinar recommended active collaboration between stakeholders in livestock production and SUL.
Such collaboration, according to him, should be on the propagation and utilisation of underutilised legumes for better utilisation as viable sources of livestock feed. (TNZ)
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