Osun Government Tasks Pig Farmers To Strengthen Association

By ABIODUN JIMOH
Nigeria Association of Pig Farmers, Osun State chapter have been charged to strengthen its association in order to get government recognition and thereby enjoy the dividend of democracy.
In a statement by Segilola Babalola, Press Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Wednesday disclosed that Osun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon Adedayo Adewole stated this during a sensitization seminar on African Swine fever (ASF), held at the state secretariat, Abere.
The commissioner represented by Director of Veterinary Services in the ministry, Dr. Mrs Abosede Olatokun stressed that the ASF virus causes a severe ailment in domestic pigs which according to her is incurable and could result to death of virtually all the pigs that were infected.
She also stated that it has come to the notice of the government that this virus is now present in Osun State and that pig farmers should embrace the measures that could prevent its spread as prevention is better than cure. 
She also urged the pig farmers to create data base for its members and ensure that every pig farmer in the state registered with the association since government preferred relating with the association rather than individual pig farmer so that adequate control of the disease could be effected in the state.
Speaking earlier at the seminar, state Veterinary Field Officer of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Bisong stressed that pig farmers must be biosecurity conscious, adding that this is not the good time to buy pigs, and if they must buy, proper and adequate veterinary advice must be sought.
He also appealed to them not to take their pigs to the market for sale because the pigs would interact with other pigs in the market.
The guest lecturer, Dr Joseph Tanimonwo, who discussed on the disease control of African Swine Fever, reiterated that the disease is caused by virus in pigs.
Dr Tanimowo stated that some of the symptoms of African swine fever include high temperature, while the pig will also not be active and this infection would come suddenly. Adding that the pig eyes would be reddish while cases of abortion in pregnant pig could also occur.
One of the pig farmers, Prince Richard Agunlejika appreciated the efforts of the government for sensitizing them on this ASF and used the medium to appeal to government to assist them with some incentives and the provision of leg boots and pull over dresses to assist pig farmers in the state.
In the same vain, the Chairman, Nigeria Association of Pig Farmers in the state, Revd Michael Adebomi also gave kudos to Osun Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola for assisting farmers in the state. He also appealed to the government to reach out to pig farmers so that they can enjoy the dividend of democracy via Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) agriculture loans.