Strategies for Advancing Animal Production
Animal production both in concept and practice is rooted in scientific principles upon which it has made substantial growth and development. The traditional methods of production, though still persistent and possibly played some roles in the past, are gradually fading out.
The significance of livestock production is daily increasing with greater implications for human survival, economic and social advancement in the face of challenging constraints that need pro-active efforts to resolve.
Some strategies for purposeful development of the livestock industry are suggested as follows:
(1) Change in value and attitude of livestock producers from the present consideration for number of stock as status symbol to more important objectives of higher productivity and socio-economic benefits that are business oriented.
(2) Careful selection of local breeding stock from breed and individual records.
Read Also: Problems Confronting Livestock Production
(3) National upgrading and breeding programmes involving exotic and local breeds, thereby mass producing the heterozygous offspring for production purposes.
(4) Careful exploration of various farming systems to ensure availability of feedstuff throughout the year and intensification agricultural production system.
(5) Feed quality improvement through deliberate supplementation and range exploitation to meet daily requirements for various nutrients.
(6) Exploitation of the biological abilities of the stock to derive maximally from the available feedstuff.
(7) Establishment of a responsive and resilient animal health system that is capable of quick intervention, continuous and effective management of animal diseases and their predisposing agents and conditions.
Read Also: The Concept of Animal Production
