NBRDA moves to boost meat production, signs MoA

The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Dar Al-Halal Farm to boost meat production through establishment of a meat hub.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Toyin Omozuwa, Press Secretary to the Director General of the NBRDA in Abuja on Friday.

Omozuwa said the MoA was jointly signed by the NBRDA D-G, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, and Alhaji Muhammadu Ladan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dar Al-Halal Farm on Thursday in Abuja.

The initiative was designed to meet both domestic consumption needs and exportation of high-quality meat product.

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Accordingly, the agreement underscores a mutual commitment to enhancing food security using innovation and advancing the agricultural biotechnology sector in the country.

Under the partnership, NBRDA is expected to provide technical services in various areas including conducting research on microbial interactions and animal breeding using modern biotechnology, meat quality and safety.

Other areas are foodborne pathogen detection and control using molecular techniques, quality control assurance, facilitation of regulatory compliance and certification, animal health and disease prevention, among others.

Dar Al-Halal Farm is also expected to take the lead in developing the meat hub project in Nigeria and ensuring regulatory compliance.

In addition, the company will support the renovation and equipping of laboratories at NBRDA where needed.

At the signing, Prof Mustapha, the NBRDA boss emphasised that the collaboration marked the beginning of a focused effort at improving livestock production and enhance food security.

The D-G was quoted in the statement as saying: “through this partnership with Dar Al-Halal Farm, we can harness modern biotechnology techniques to drive economic growth and improve livelihoods”.

Ladan was also quoted in the statement when he responded as saying, “this collaboration will ensure that we meet domestic consumption needs and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the meat export market”.

(NAN)