In an effort to control the bird flu disease in the country, the federal government has set aside the sum of N600 million to compensate farmers whose farms were affected by the disease. It said so far 300 farmers were identified as being affected from 18 states of the federation where the disease had manifested.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, made this known yesterday at a function in Kano, titled “Training-of-Trainers on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Workshop,” organised by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the federal government.
Adesina was represented by a Director from the Ministry Dr AbdulGaniu Abubakar, who further stated that 255 farms were so far detected as being affected by the disease.
“One million birds have been depopulated. Our record shows us that out of the 255 farms that were affected Kano has largest share among the 18 states, with 158 farms, being affected,” he said.
As a result of which he called on the government of Kano state to be up and doing in combating the disease.
“We directed our staff at the Ministry to work hand in hand with the Kano state government in controlling the menace,” stated Minister’s representative.
According to the minister, the distribution of the disease in Kano was more than 50 per cent evident in 19 local governments of the state.
“That is why we are calling on all stakeholders at all levels to help in curbing the problem.
“We need to have enough manpower in the fight against the disease that is part of the reasons we are organising this programme today. With the harmattan season now the spread of the disease is alarming.”
Earlier, in his speech, the representative of USAID, Dr Harvey Schartup, said: “The bird flu outbreak in Nigeria and its effect on the health of Nigerians, the economy and the livelihood of farmers are the focus of series of four-day workshops that began in Kano.”
“Over 400 participants from the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Health and the poultry sector are being trained in the control of avian influenza. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) supported the workshops.”