Ayodeji Adedire
Nigeria 2013
Ayodeji Adedire’s path to a career in agricultural research could be considered as somewhat of a rabbit trail. She had no interest in agriculture until her first year of university, when an acquaintance in agricultural extension encouraged her to consider it. “I wanted to study biochemistry, but I wound up in animal nutrition,” she recalls. “My father, who was a strong proponent of higher education, didn’t approve at first, saying, ‘Do you really need a degree to be a farmer?’, ” she laughs. Adedire persevered, deciding to specialize in rabbits. “They are lovely animals, and easy for rural women to raise,” she says. Her current research involves using microbiology to improve the quality of cowpea husks, corn cob, and other industrial byproducts so they can be used as rabbit feed. “This is known as anaerobic fermentation because no oxygen is used—we do solid-state fermentation,” she explains. This technique breaks the husks down into cellulose and some other soluble fiber, which are essential components of rabbits’ diets. It prevents enteritis, a common disease in rabbits.
Adedire persevered, deciding to specialize in rabbits. “They are lovely animals, and easy for rural women to raise,” she says. Her current research involves using microbiology to improve the quality of cowpea husks, corn cob, and other industrial byproducts so they can be used as rabbit feed.
Field of Research
Use of agricultural waste for rabbit feed, and promotion of rabbit production for consumption and marketing among rural women.

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