ABOUT NAPRI

The main objectives of the then Stock Farm was to produce "by selective breeding, male stock for use as stud bulls by native stock owners". Selection was based on milk yield, body weight and temperament. The policy was continued  until 1954, when more emphasis was given to other aspects of animal husbandry, and research on sown pastures and range management was started. In October 1962, the Shika Grassland Research Station (as it was then called) and its parent Institution, the Institute for Agricultural Research were transferred to the Ahmadu Bello University under the collective title of the Institute for Agricultural Research and Special Services. Under this arrangement, Shika Grassland Research Station became closely linked with the Department of Animal Science in the Faculty of Agriculture, with research staff assisting in the teaching work of the Faculty. From 1st July, 1976, the Shika Grassland Research Station by Decree No. 35 of 27th August 1973 and the Research Institutes (Establishment) Order of November, 1975 became the National Animal Production Research Institute with headquarters at Shika and started functioning as a research institute administratively attached to Ahmadu Bello University.

NAPRI has its headquarter located at Shika, Kaduna State, along Zaria-Sokoto highway. Kaduna State lies between Latitude 90 5'' and 110 6'', placed within the Longitude 6o 30'' East. The Institute is located on a 1600 hectares of land.

From the archive, we have achieved the following results:

• Packages for a rapid increase in beef and mutton production through feedlot operation
• Upgrading of indigenous cattle through crossbreeding with exotic animals has produced crossbred animals with a genetic potential of about 70% higher milk yield than the indigenous breeds.
• The technology for breeding such animals as in (2) above in farmers' herds without the need to import exotic breeds has been developed.
• Rations based on locally available agro-industrial by-products and waste products to meet optimum production in poultry, swine and ruminant animals have been developed.
• The productivity of indigenous cattle, sheep and goat breeds has been evaluated. Breeds and management procedures suitable for extensive and intensive production systems in the different ecological zones have been identified and practical guidelines for farmers have been formulated.
• Pasture species suitable for the different ecological zones in Nigeria have been identified. Seeds of these species are being produced by NAPRI for use by livestock farmers. A package for establishing and managing these pastures has also been developed for farmers' use.
• Practical procedures aimed at improving the nutritive value and palatability/acceptability of crop residues for ruminant feeding have been developed.
• Introduction of developed research technologies into the farming systems of small-scale producers.
  Introduction of diary goat production system suitable for small scale producers.
• Weigh-bands for indigenous cattle, sheep and goats for on-farm estimation of body weights.
• A poultry parent line for egg production to meet national demands for hatchable eggs. The strain has been released and known as ShikaBrown.
• Optimum protein and energy levels and mineral requirements for all categories of poultry in the tropics.
• Utilization on non-conventional feed supplements for all classes of layers and broilers.
• Age at which chicks can be introduced to high fibre rice based diets.
• Comparative nutritive values of groundnut meal based rations and delinted cottonseed meal based rations with or without fishmeal in turkey rations.
• Various force-moulting programmes to extend egg production performance of laying hens.
• Quantitative feed restriction (reduction of quantities of feed offered) during the growing periods on the subsequent egg production performance of laying hens.
• Establishment of optimum stocking density for all categories of birds under different rearing systems.
• Locally fabricated milk chunning equipment to improve the consistency of yoghurt.
• Improved Yankasa rams through selection and open nucleus breeding scheme.
• Introduction of dual purpose legumes (lablab, cowpea and groundnut) into the livestock farming system and development of preservation techniques for their utilization during the dry season.
• Management strategies to increase conception rates of cattle and sheep have been developed.
  Introduction of strategic schemes for utilization crop residues.
• Establishment and utilization of fodder banks.
• Introduction of late maturing pearl millet cultivars for dry season grazing.