ASF Virus: Osun Govt Collaborates With FG To Curb The Spread
By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Reddish Project has collaborated with Osun State Government to distribute some disinfectants to Pig Farmers Association, Osun State chapter for the prevention and control of African Swine Fever in the state.
In a statement made avaialbke to newsmen by Segilola Babalola, Press Officer, Ministry Of Agriculture stated that the Rural Development Reddish Project is a World Bank Assisted Animal Health Programme that also caters for health emergencies in Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food security, Hon. Adedayo Adewole, who was represented by the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Abosede Olatokun disclosed this during the demonstration and presentation of the disinfectants for fumigating some pig farms including motorized sprayers with overrun dresses all in the efforts to eradicate the virus diseases in pig farming businesses in the state which took place at Owode area, Osogbo.
Olatokun further stressed that the ASF is not spreading fast in Osun State unlike other neighboring states as both the ministry and the officials of Pig Farmers Association swung into action by taking necessary precautionary measures immediately the news of the outbreak of the disease broke out in other jurisdictions.
The Reddisse Project of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development according to her donated the disinfectants to curb the spread of the virus in the state.
She also used the medium to encourage the pig farmers to maintain biosecurity by making their environments clean and safe for rearing, urging them not to allow strangers into their farms and also not to take stock from unknown person.
She therefore advised other pig farmers in the state to join the association to enhance government intervention since government does not relate with individuals but associations for them to enjoy government benefits.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Bolarinwa Tanimowo stressed that ASF virus causes a severe ailment in domestic pigs which is incurable and could result to death of virtually all the affected pigs.
He also advised the farmers to embark on biosecurity by fumigating their farms and not to visit other people’s farm because ASF is incurable, but he added that it doesn’t have side effect on the consumers as the disease only has effect on pigs.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state chairman, Pig Farmers Association, Rev. Michael Adebomi stressed that Oliver Twist always asks for more, and that they still need more government assistance and urged other pig farmers that are yet to register with the association to do so on time to partake and enjoy the benefits from the government.
Also speaking, one of the executive members of the association, Prince Adedokun Agunlejika appreciated both the federal and state governments for their efforts towards curbing the ASF in the state.
He added that immediately the association heard about the spreading of the virus nationwide, they ran to the ministry of agriculture and by God’s grace, the ministry came to their aids and also sensitized the association about the preventive measures that should be put in place.
