ABU distributes 300 scientifically cross-bred cocks free to Yobe poultry farmers

Ahmadu Bello University has distributed free of charge a total of 300 cocks to smaller poultry farmers in Yobe State for sustainable improvement of chicken production in the Northeastern state. The birds distributed are worth over N2 million.

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The cocks are scientifically cross-bred with different species of poultry birds at the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Shika, Zaria.

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The birds, registered as ‘Shika Brown’, have also tropical ability having been tested in all the six ecological zones of Nigeria with good performance.

In addition to having higher meat production and improved egg yield rate, the birds are resistant to most known tropical poultry diseases and can live in both humid and arid zones.

His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni, CON, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, launched the distribution of the birds during the Cock Exchange Programme at the NAPRI Outstation in Damaturu in Yobe State at the weekend.

The Governor, who was represented by the Hon. Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Ali Mustapha Gonari, thanked Ahmadu Bello University for the “great gesture”, saying that the Yobe State government would collaborate with the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) to improve animal production in the state.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, explained that the scientific poultry breeding project was part of the NAPRI’s endorsements and that the birds distributed would improve and upgrade local chicken production in the Northeast geo-political zones.

Ably represented by the Director, Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Bashir Maina, the Vice-Chancellor stressed that the cocks, if fully integrated with local chicken, would profitably enhance the quality meat production resilience and egg yields.

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The Vice-Chancellor, who also spoke on NAPRI’s Yobe State Outstation, built and commissioned by the Yobe State government last year, said that the research outstation was constructed to boost research on livestock activities in the Northeast geopolitical zone.

The outstation, according to the Vice-Chancellor, was part of the NAPRI’s mandate and support to the Yobe State government’s effort in facilitating capacity building and empowerment to youth and women.

Prof. Bala also stressed that the research outstation, when fully functional, would address the frightening challenges of unemployment and restiveness among the youth and women in the Northeast.

“The outstation will train the youth and women in numerous livestock skills (artificial insemination, livestock production, pasture production, etc) and other various aspects of livestock production value chains.

“This will improve the demand driven entrepreneurship on sustainable livelihood skills needed by the teeming Nigerian youths and women through improved and efficient livestock technologies and innovations”, he said.

Prof. Bala expressed the University’s immense gratitude to the Yobe State government and the good people of the state for constructing a befitting NAPRI outstation for Yobe State to serve as administrative and livestock research station for the whole Northeast geopolitical zone.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Prof. Mohammed Rabiu Hassan, said that the cock exchange programme was in line with the national mandate of “improvement of livestock management and husbandry practice”, which was clearly elucidated in the Laws of the Federation (CAP 14).

He explained that the exercise was a community-based intervention through cock exchange for sustainable improvement of chicken production to smallholder poultry farmers in Yobe State.

The NAPRI Director expressed appreciation to the Yobe State government for its continued intervention at the research outstation, the recent of which was the building of perimeter wall fencing, drilling of borehole, landscaping, and construction of parking lot at the outstation.

There was a mini exhibition shortly after the programme at the outstation by the research institute for the dignitaries and other guests to personally see the outcomes of some of its research activities in samples and pictorials.

The Yobe State Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Mairo Amshi; the Permanent Secretary, Yobe State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Musa Abba Kollere; Directors, Yobe State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and other key programmes officers from the Ministry, attended the event.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, who was represented by the Director, Institute of Education, Prof. Bashir Maina, at the occasion, was accompanied to the event by the Dean of Agriculture, Prof. Salisu Abdu Bakura, who represented the Chairman of Agriculture/Veterinary Complex, Prof. Junaid Kabir; and the Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Malam Auwalu Umar.

The Institute Secretary, National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Malam Lawan Saminu as well as Deputy Directors, Programmes Officers, and other key personnel from NAPRI also witnessed the event.

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Public Affairs Directorate,

Office of the Vice-Chancellor,

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria