The Livestock Improvement Programme (LIP) was created in 1976 as one of the six research programmes of the institute. The main purpose for the creation of the programme was to improve the indigenous livestock breeds and to develop the livestock components of the Agricultural Development Programme of Southwestern States. The programme has not deviated from this mandate and has been contributing to the practice of animal production in the country through research and training. The programme is also entrusted with improvement of livestock productivity for sustainable food security through research and training of farmers and other stakeholders in the livestock production industry. The improvement in livestock production is carried out through:

(1) Genetic improvement of the indigenous breeds of livestock in the country.

(2) Feeding and housing management for improved productivity and

(3) Ethno-veterinary medicine for healthy livestock production.

The programme conducts applied research on livestock production, nutrition, genetic improvement, housing and management and ethno-veterinary care for livestock. The Livestock Improvement Programme has facilities for livestock research, production and training of farmers. The various units in the programme are engaged in research on and production of poultry species (broiler chickens, layers, cockerels and Muscovy ducks), improved pigs (Landrace, Large white and Duroc), ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats), micro-livestock (rabbits, grasscutters and snails), livestock feed and pasture legume seed production. All the units in the programme play major roles in the delivery of proven livestock production technologies that help in the production of affordable quality protein by Nigerians.

The scientists in the programme have practical and theoretical knowledge in livestock production. Their disciplines are in animal breeding and genetics, animal nutrition with specialisation in ruminant, monogastric and micro-livestock nutrition, animal physiology, veterinary medicine, wildlife production, pasture production/ conservation and agricultural economics

Research Objectives

· Identify, evaluate and improve breeds of livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, snails, grasscutters and poultry adapted to Southwestern agro-ecologies.

· Develop appropriate low-cost and efficient feed resources for livestock

· Develop appropriate management/husbandry systems for livestock

· Develop appropriate low-input and cost-effective health package, including ethno-veterinary and indigenous technologies for livestock production

Research Focus

The focus of the programme is to improve livestock productivity for sustainable food security through research and training of farmers and stakeholders in livestock production. This is done through three main research mandates which are livestock genetic Improvement, feeding and housing management and ethno-veterinary care.

Current Activities

1. Development and evaluation of improved Fulani ecotype chickens for enhanced productivity and adaptability

2. Genetic improvement of pigs for improved productivity

3. Development and evaluation of cattle hybrid of N’Dama and Muturu breeds for sustainable production

4. Genetic improvement of rabbits through crossbreeding with exotic breeds for optimum productivity.

External Grants

International Foundation for Science (IFS)
European Community (EC) Research Contract TS2 0248, Aberdeen
Stapledon Memorial Trust Fellowship, London
Japan Society for Promotion of Science Fellowship, Tokyo
German Foundation for International Development
Award from Commission of the European Communities Directorate General for Science, Research and Development Rue de la loi 200 – B – 1049
Royal Society for Developing Country Fellowship Scheme, London
Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP)
African Women in Agricultural Research and Development, Kenya
Poultry Science Foundation Travel Award
OXFAM GB, U.K. Award
International Atomic Energy Agency Grant
TWAS-ROSSA Grant Award
United Nations Environmental Protection Grant Award.
Korea-Africa Food & Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (KAFACI)
CURRENT GRANTS
Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND)

Our Collaborators

University of Ibadan

International Institute of Tropical agriculture (IITA),

National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI)

Past Achievements

A. Hybrid Chicken produced
A hybrid chicken (Moor ßeta) that combines the advantages of indigenous and commercial strains of chickens has been produced.
B. Development of Hybrid Pigs from Indigenous and Exotic Breeds
i. Hybrid pigs from Landrace pure line and indigenous pig
ii. Hybrid pigs from Large white pure line and indigenous pig
iii. Hybrid pigs from Duroc pure line and indigenous pig
C. Ethno-veterinary mixture for livestock treatment
Production of Ectocure cream

Future Plans

· The improvement of breeds of livestock species that are adaptable and disease-resistant.

· Provision of least cost rations as feed packages for farmers in order to reduce cost of production.

· Development of improved livestock housing models which are affordable to farmers.

· Provision of ethno-veterinary packaged materials for the prevention and treatment of livestock ectoparasites.

Services Rendered

The Programme is involved in capacity building of all categories of farmers (Small, medium and large scale) in order to improve their production capacity. This is possible because of the facilities on the farm and the availability of breeds of livestock for training. The programme has researchers in all the fields of livestock production. They serve as resource persons in the training of farmers and stakeholders in the livestock value chain.