Livestock scientists and technologists from across Nigeria under the aegis of National Livestock Husbandry Scientists And Technologists of Nigeria (NALHSATON) are presently in Ibadan the Oyo State capital, for their annual delegate conference, where they are deliberating on animal husbandry practices in the country.
Speaking on the theme of the conference: “Harnessing The Potential Of Animal Husbandry Practices As A Tool For peace In The Post Pandemic Era”, Chairman of the association in Oyo State, Mr Waheed Sulaimon, said one of the main problems that are actually affecting the relationship between herders and farmers is the competition for resource.
“Resources, as we know, is always very limited so where there are limited resources there are bound to be competitions. And when you have people with different interests, there would be a conflict of interest. The herders want to feed their animals, the farmers want to do their farming business without hindrance, so there would be conflict. As professionals, we have been technically empowered to create an enabling environment for both parties. So, we are deploying necessary techniques to achieve this.”
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the conference, Mr Adeshola Sanusi, while welcoming delegates and other invited guests to the official opening of the conference said: “The delegate conference is also meant to showcase our professional heritage, applaud our attainment, brainstorm on our challenges and also reconnect with professional colleagues from the 36 states of the federation including the FCT.“The past year has been challenging to this nation and the entire globe at large. The incidence of COVID-19 pandemic has grossly affected our socio-economic status nationwide and we are yet to fully come out of it.”
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development in Oyo State, Mr Adeniyi Adebisi, in his welcome address thanked NALHSATON for bringing this year’s annual general meeting to Oyo State.
He noted that: “I wish that this delegate conference will deliberate on issues, vital to improve the production of high-quality animal protein safe for human consumption and formulate measures that will enhance the sustainable peaceful relationship between crop farmers and herders.”
