After 24 years of research, scientists at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta have developed a new chicken breed that's been dubbed the 'FUNAAB Alpha.'
The goal of this scientific endeavor was to develop a Nigerian-based chicken breed that would attract a global demand, and according to researchers, the FUNAAB Alpha meets international standards. The breed is regarded as a dual-purposed chicken, meaning it's suitable for households, egg production, and poultry meat. To produce the final results, scientists at the university underwent "rigorous selection, cross breeding, as well as on-station and on-farm testing across five agro-ecological zones of Nigeria."
Currently, the poultry line of the FUNAAB Alpha is available on the market, while the egg-only line will be available in the next two to three years.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Scientifically-developed Poultry Breeds
- Scientific research is creating new poultry breeds suitable for dual-purposes in Nigeria.
- Global Poultry Market Expansion
- The FUNAAB Alpha breed presents an opportunity for Nigeria to capitalize on the global demand for high-quality poultry.
- Sustainable Poultry Farming
- Developing poultry breeds that are suitable for local conditions and dual-purpose will ensure sustainable poultry farming.
Where This Applies
- Agriculture
- Research and development of new poultry breeds are contributing to the advancement of agriculture in Nigeria.
- Food and Beverage Manufacturing
- The novelty of the FUNAAB Alpha breed presents an opportunity for food and beverage manufacturing.
- Biotechnology
- The development of new poultry breeds requires biotechnology and genetic engineering research.
