Nigeria feed project converts crop residues into commercial ruminant feed solutions

NIGERIA – A research collaboration between the University of the West of Scotland, the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, and  Ajogbe Foods has developed cost-effective ruminant feed using locally available crop residues and agro-industrial by-products, thereby strengthening feed production capacity in southwest Nigeria.

The project, implemented under the African AgriFood Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AAKTP) and funded by Innovate UK, ran from November 2023 to October 2025 and focused on reducing feed costs and improving livestock productivity through locally sourced inputs.

The initiative targeted the utilisation of crop residues and agro-industrial by-products to produce nutritionally viable feed, addressing one of the most persistent challenges in livestock production in Nigeria, where feed accounts for 70% of production costs.

Speaking at the public presentation of the project outcomes at FUNAAB, Ajogbe Agro-Allied Industries said the collaboration had significantly enhanced its technical and commercial capabilities in feed production.

“Through this collaboration, we now possess commercial-level expertise in feed production, which strengthens our mission to build a viable beef ecosystem in southwest Nigeria,” said Bosoye Olalere, Executive Chairman of Ajogbe Agro-Allied Industries.

The company said the project has enabled it to adopt improved feeding techniques that enhance cattle weight gain and feed conversion efficiency, supporting more productive and commercially viable livestock systems.

The research also forms part of a broader effort to strengthen integrated livestock value chains, with Ajogbe operating across breeding, feed production, crop cultivation, processing and logistics.

FUNAAB said the initiative demonstrates the growing role of applied research in solving real industry challenges, particularly in feed development and livestock productivity.

“This partnership goes beyond theory. It is practical, impactful and results-oriented,” said Babatunde Kehinde, Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Olawale Dairo.

Project leaders said the collaboration helped bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application, creating pathways for scalable feed solutions using locally available resources.

The initiative also highlights a broader shift across African livestock systems toward reducing dependence on imported feed inputs such as soybean meal and other protein sources, which are often subject to price volatility and supply constraints.

By converting agricultural waste into feed, the model offers dual benefits: lower production costs and improved sustainability in livestock production systems.

Industry stakeholders said such approaches could help address feed scarcity, improve farmer margins and support more resilient livestock systems, particularly in regions where access to conventional feed ingredients remains limited.

As feed costs continue to constrain livestock production across Africa, locally driven feed innovation and research partnerships are expected to play an increasingly important role in strengthening food security and developing sustainable livestock value chains.

Other sustainable feed innovations

Nigeria is pursuing several sustainable feed innovations beyond crop residue conversion, with notable progress in Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming, cassava peel processing, and the utilisation of agro-industrial by-products. 

BSF projects, supported by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and Dutch partners, have trained SMEs to rear larvae that convert organic waste into high-protein feed, advancing from pilot to commercial scale and reducing reliance on costly imports. 

Cassava peel initiatives, backed by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, have established commercial processing plants that turn agro-waste into affordable livestock feed while cutting environmental pollution. 

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