By: Simeon Shodimu
In a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s livestock value chain and promoting solution-driven agricultural research, the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta has entered into a strategic collaboration with Alliance Farms to advance innovation in livestock breeding, feed sustainability, and commercial farming systems.
The Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has intensified efforts to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial agriculture through a strategic visit to Alliance Farms in Oyo State.
The engagement focused on deepening collaboration in livestock production, feed development, reproductive technologies, and sustainable farming systems.
Welcoming the delegation, the Chief Executive Officer of Alliance Farms, Mr. Oyekunle Ogunmola, said the farm was established with a vision to contribute meaningfully to the agricultural economy of Oyo State and improve access to quality livestock systems in Nigeria.
Ogunmola, a Physics graduate of the University of Ibadan and Chartered Accountant trained with KPMG, explained that his transition into agriculture was driven by the need to build efficient and productive livestock enterprises capable of shortening production cycles through the use of high-performing pedigree animals.
According to him, the farm leverages technology through its proprietary digital management platform known as “Farm OS,” which tracks key reproductive indicators including kidding rates, lambing intervals, and calving records.
He disclosed that although the farm has operated for less than one year, it has already recorded notable reproductive milestones, including cases of triplets and quadruplets in goats.
Despite the successes, Ogunmola identified major operational challenges, particularly high kid mortality rates and the inconsistent performance of some vaccines against Clostridium-related infections.
He attributed the situation to inadequate vaccine strain coverage and inconsistencies in formulations, stressing the need for stronger scientific interventions and industry support.
Speaking further on genetic improvement efforts, he noted that the farm sources livestock locally, especially from northern Nigeria, before crossbreeding them with imported pedigree stock to improve productivity and adaptability.
He added that while the approach has yielded promising outcomes, issues such as quarantine mortality and the need for more scientific selection procedures still pose challenges.
The farm, he said, is also exploring advanced reproductive technologies including artificial insemination and embryo transfer to accelerate genetic gains.
On feed sustainability, Ogunmola explained that the farm cultivates maize, sorghum, and soybeans while also investing heavily in forage development to reduce dependence on external feed sources.
He revealed that alternative forage crops such as Cajanus cajan are being adopted because of their high crude protein content, alongside pasture management strategies and diversification efforts including teak cultivation.
In his remarks, the Director of IFSERAR, Prof. Kazeem Bello, described the visit as an important step towards ensuring that academic research addresses practical agricultural challenges confronting commercial farms.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration between research institutions and agribusinesses in driving innovation, improving productivity, and strengthening engagement with national agricultural agencies such as the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria.
According to Bello, the partnership will involve staff exchange programmes, student industrial training placements, and joint research initiatives aimed at improving livestock management and sustainable agricultural practices.
He added that both institutions would also explore opportunities in fodder production, feed processing technologies, and climate-smart farming systems.
Bello described the collaboration as mutually beneficial, noting that it would not only enhance teaching, research, and extension services at FUNAAB but also support innovation and productivity growth at Alliance Farms.
