ibironkeeniola 
The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has developed a blueprint to improve animal and livestock production across the federation.
The agency made this known during a virtual work meeting hosted in Lagos.
The virtual meeting was hosted as part of an ongoing Livestock Micro Reforms in Agribusiness (L-MIRA) World Bank project on Cattle Feed Value Chain, in collaboration with SON.
Director-General, SON, Osita Aboloma, who was represented by the Deputy Director/Head Food Group of the agency, Dr. Omolara Okunlola, stated that the development was also in line with the Federal Government’s plan to boost food security.
Okunlola noted that the agency developed the standards to mitigate the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on key sectors like agriculture.
This, she said, would improve agribusinesses nationwide, considering the importance of the livestock value chain to the economy.
Standards such as those for Salt Mineral Lick composition, Small Ruminant Feed and blood meal for fish feed production, were imperative to improve livestock feed production, she added.
“It will enhance meat and dairy in small ruminant production thereby contributing to the country’s gross domestic product in agribusiness.
“While the elaboration of Standard for Small Ruminant Feed Premix was found necessary as small ruminants (sheep and goats) are increasingly becoming major sources of animal protein recently contributing over 30% of total meat supply in the country.
“The standard is therefore to guide Premix manufacturers in compounding premixes for Small ruminant’s feed and also feed millers/livestock farmers in deciding the kind of premixes that suits a small ruminant’s requirement in enhancing sheep and goat production,” she said.
Standards for forage feed were also established, to guide manufacturers in its production process.
The group also harped on the importance of Wheat Bran as animal feed. The feed, it noted, was rich in fibre and protein, which aids digestion in animals and birds.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA