The minister of state for agriculture and rural development, Hon Mustapha Baba Shehuri has charged stakeholders to adopt climate smart animal agriculture strategies including sustainable livestock production systems to address environment issues while ensuring improved productivity, build resilience and reduction of Green House Gas(GHG) emissions.
Shehuri gave the charge in Abuja yesterday at an event organised to mark the maiden edition of World Animal Day in Nigeria.
The commemoration which was themed, “Good Animal Husbandry Practice is Climate Smart”, focus on the need to raise awareness, sustainability and profitability of animal production and the importance of animal protein in nutrition for healthy living.
The minister stressed that the climate-smart animal husbandry method will also promote food and nutritional security with emphasis on safe food to meet Sustainable Developmental Goals.
According to him, the occasion offer opportunity to celebrate and embrace all animals and their unique concerns and care requirements.
Also speaking, the permanent secretary, Dr Ernest Umakhihe said the commemoration of the day beckons on all 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 Nigeria strive towards livestock productivity, profitability of production and the associated businesses.