Mr Uchenna Orji, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, disclosed this on Monday, in Abakaliki, the state capital, during a training programme for poultry farmers in the state on ways of preventing and handling incidences of the disease.
According to Orji, a Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development team would arrive the state on July 5, to conduct necessary assessment and other procedures before the compensation.
“20 poultry farmers would benefit from the compensation but they must be registered with my ministry and fulfil all obligations required of them in the conduct of poultry activities.
“The effect of the avian influenza attack on poultry farms was devastating.
“This training is part of the enlightenment programmes for farmers on the disease as directed by the federal and state governments,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the state government planned to establish 100 poultry farm clusters in each of the 13 local government areas (LGAs) of the state, to enhance poultry farming.
Mr Ibiam Okoro, Director of Veterinary Services in the state’s Ministry for Agriculture, noted that the federal and state governments directed state ministries of agriculture through their veterinary departments, to take measures to prevent and contain avian influenza.
“This is due to the resurgence of the disease in the country, as we were directed to enforce bio-security in all poultry farms and life bird markets while enforcing movement control of poultry produce within the states,” he said.
He, however, noted the enforcement of the directives was imperative because of the negative attitude of poultry farmers who placed undue emphasis on profit-making than ensuring the health and general wellbeing of citizens and their poultry produce,” he said.
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