L-PRES unveils African swine fever control at Oke-Aro

The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has unveiled a campaign to curb African Swine Fever (ASF) at Oke-Aro Pig Farm Estate, which spans Lagos and Ogun States.

The campaign included the distribution of protective and disease-control kits to farmers to strengthen farm hygiene and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.

Newmen report that ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs and can cause significant economic losses.

The disease does not infect humans but can spread rapidly among pigs where adequate biosecurity measures are not observed.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja, Dr Sanusi Abubakar, National Project Coordinator, L-PRES, said the intervention was important for Oke-Aro, one of Nigeria’s major pig production clusters.

Abubakar said the estate had experienced severe ASF outbreaks in the past, resulting in significant losses of pigs and investments.

He said the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, distributed biosecurity kits to farmers during the campaign.

According to him, the campaign is part of L-PRES interventions in animal health aimed at strengthening disease prevention and control and supporting livestock farmers.

Abubakar said the items distributed included Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), boots, knapsack and motorised sprayers, gloves, nose masks, protective goggles, CID 20 and Virocid disinfectants.

He said the intervention would also include training for pig farmers on biosecurity measures and good farm practices.

“The intervention goes beyond distribution of materials. L-PRES will train pig farmers on critical biosecurity measures and good farm practices, including proper farm disinfection, correct use of PPE, movement control and farm hygiene.

“Providing the materials must go together with giving farmers the knowledge they need to use them properly and maintain good biosecurity,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the farmers, Mr Adebowale Ayodeji, President, Pig Farmers Association of Nigeria, thanked the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and L-PRES for the support.

Ayodeji described ASF as a major challenge to pig farming, saying improved biosecurity, farmer training and access to disease-control materials would help farmers protect their animals and investments.

He stressed the need for continuous awareness among farmers, given the size of the Oke-Aro pig farming community.

He urged farmers to regularly disinfect their farms and control the movement of people, pigs, vehicles and equipment between farms.