By Mohammed Mohammed
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and
stakeholders in the sector joined the rest of the World to commemorate World Farm Animals Day (WAD) and World Animal Day while at the same time advocating for climate smart agriculture.
The commemoration had it’s theme, ‘Good Animal Husbandary Practice is Climate Smart was held at the Ministry’s premises in Abuja.’
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Mustapha Baba Shehuri, tasked stakeholders to examine the animal husbandry practices in relation to the environment in the ever-changing climate situations with the view to adapt and mitigate its effects as practitioners strive for productivity, the profitability of production and associated businesses.
He explained that climate smart agriculture strategies included sustainable livestock production systems was to address environmental issues while ensuring improved productivity, enhanced resilience, reduced greenhouse gas emissions amongst others.
In her remarks, the Director, Animal Husbandry Services Department, Mrs. Winnie Solarin, noted that the mission of the WAD was to raise awareness, sustainability and profitability of animal production as well as animal protein in nutrition for healthy living.
The Director emphasized that the mission was in tandem with the mandate of Department of Animal Husbandry (DAHS) and the Ministry in general, stressing that embraces all animals including domestic animals. She noted that the unique concerns of each, in every country but with emphasis on animals for slaughter as meat as well as those kept for other socio-economic purposes such as farming and transport.
“In many countries, WAD is now being celebrated by various organizations, government bodies. These include: Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt (SPARE), Animals Lebanon and Animal Naturalis Colombia. The Himalayan Animal Rescue Trust (HART) and the Sudanese Animal Care and Environmental Organization to mention but a few.”
In his good will message, the Registrar, Nigeria Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) Prof. Eustace Iyayi, while adding his voice said that animals play a vital role in agriculture and other sectors hence generates income for the economy.
He reiterated that this is the first time Nigeria is celebrating World Animal day with other countries, pointing out that, what we are celebrating today is to create awareness and sustain the economy.