Poultry body urges Nigeria to improve agricultural research

The World Poultry Science Association (WPSA) is urging Nigeria to pay more attention to agricultural research in order to boost the sector's fortunes.

The National President WPSA, Prof. Daisy Eruvbetine said under-funding of research findings and lack of sponsors have badly affected farmers and their output.

Banks have cut off financial assistance due to the recession while multinationals and corporate bodies are more interested in football and marathon, Eruvbetine said.

Funding has become a major problem, Eruvbetine said, adding that another key issue in the poultry sector is the production of livestock feeds as corn is becoming scarce due to biofuel.

FAO representative Prof. Okanlawon Onagbesan echoed Eruvbetine's opinions.

Onagbesan said it is a pity that research means nothing to Nigerians, as people want food and agricultural produce but organisations do not want to invest in agriculture.