…Set to partner Brazil on supply of 10,000 equipment, 50,000 assorted implements
By Hillary Asemota
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has said that the Ministry through the Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services would support Gombe State and other states in the North-east Geopolitical region with about 2 million Free of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Newcastle Disease (ND) and vaccines.
The Minister made this known during the flag off of the 2022 Nationwide Free Mass Vaccination Campaign against transboundary animal diseases in Dadinkowa, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, recently.
Represented by the Director, Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control and Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Maimuna Habib, the Minister stated that livestock production was a major means of livelihood in Nigeria which employs about 70% of our population, food nutrition and security as well as means of livelihood for majority of our rural dwellers.
Abubakar revealed that the Ministry has policies and programme for the control of these diseases, while it is the policy for routine vaccination for all diseases, it is our policy as a country not to vaccinate against highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as Bird flu.
He added that: “over the years, the policy of CBPP, FMD, PPR and ND control in Nigeria has been routine annual vaccination; However, the vaccination coverage has been limited by inadequate resources. But going forward, we intend to scale up vaccination coverage as more resources become available’’.
He pointed out that “Nigeria’s Livestock Population is put at 22,378,374 Cattle; 53,061,143 Sheep; 99,879,799 Goats; 9,299,563 Pigs and over 425,790,456 Poultry, spread across the six Geopolitical Zones of the country, kept by majority of Nigerians especially in rural and semi-rural settings.
The Minister noted that the full potentials of these animals and the attendant socio-economic benefits they provide cannot be guaranteed unless they are in a state of good health which can only be achieved through vaccination against diseases like CBPP and FMD in cattle; PPR in sheep and goats, and NCD in chickens”.
He urged Development partners and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to key into this initiative by supporting the States with more vaccines and the logistics that are needed to carry out the mass vaccination in the country and collaboration with our neighboring countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic.
Abubakar appealed that the exercise should be a call to national service and to give it the best attention that it deserves and ultimately, all of us shall be part of making history as Nigeria joins other nations of the world to control and eradicate these dreaded diseases of cattle, poultry, sheep and goat from our national herd”.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, revealed this is the third time the exercise is being carried out under his administration and commended the Ministry for its tireless efforts and commitment in ensuring the control of these animal diseases.
In another development said Federal Government has concluded arrangement to partner Brazilian on the supply and distribution of 10,000 tractors to farmers across the country in order to fast track the mechanization of the Agricultural sector.
The development according to the Minister would improve production, boost economy, enhance food self-sufficiency and create jobs for Nigerian youths.
The Minister gave this indication at the opening ceremony of Africa’s Agricultural machines and equipment technology expo on industrializing Africa’s Agriculture through technology and innovation, held in Abuja recently.
He revealed that the purpose of the expo was to expose African farmers to cost- effective farm machines, new farming technologies, to increase foreign direct investments, as well as create business among farm products, producers and processors.
This, the Minister noted, was in tandem with agricultural policy of the Government and a clarion call to bring succor to the drudgery nature of our farm practices in order to encourage the teeming youths to embrace the agricultural sector.
Abubakar, further said that the expo was an avenue for exchange of cultural values which will attract needed capital into Africa’s farm sector. This he said, will come face to face with experts in Agricultural Engineering field such as farm power and machinery, irrigation [soil and water engineering], storage of Agricultural products on commercial quantity.
The minster pledged that the forum will go a long way to establish a knowledge and business sharing platform with a view to identifying a global investment opportunities and risk, adding that it will translate into an increased production and quality level of African farm harvest.
He further revealed that: “The quest for food self- sufficiency cannot be achieved using the old method of rudimentary tools. He therefor urged farmers to grab the new technologies and innovations in order to do exploits in farm practices”.
Abubakar, stated that the partnership with Brazilian counterparts would ensure the provision of 10,000 units of tractors,50,000 units of assorted implements and equipment for assembly in Nigeria, 142 turnkey factories for Agro Processing as well as training of the project beneficiaries for over a period of five years.
Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ernest Umahkike represented by the the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Engr Abdullahi Abubakar Garuba stated that the Expo was meant to expose Africa’s farmers to latest innovation in technology across the value chain.
He pointed out that “Agriculture in Nigeria contributed about 33% to Gross Domestic Product and engage a large number of our working force in farming”.
He added that Agricultural Expo will contribute to the advance processing of agricultural raw materials and promote the growth of agro-industrial section and export of food products that are made in Nigeria.
The Expo featured display of various agricultural equipment by different agricultural and allied manufacturers.
Signed: Salamatu Jibaniya and Mohammed Gana for Director, Information (FMARD).