The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi has said that the Nigerian livestock is suffering major setbacks as a result of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) which is also known as Sheep and Goat Plague.
Senator Abdullahi said as a result of this devastating disease, the livestock sector which has the potential to contribute over $11 billion annually to the economy records low productivity and very low presence in the market.
Speaking at the 3rd Meeting of the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Global Eradication Programme regional roadmap and blueprint consultation in the West Africa sub-region, the Minister said PPR is a highly contagious viral disease that affects small ruminants, causing significant economic losses and threatening the livelihoods of millions of rural families in West Africa.
While highlighting the importance of the livestock sector, Senator Abdullahi said that the sector provides about 36.5 per cent of the total protein intake of Nigerians, contributes about 17% of the Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 5% of the National GDP, and if properly harnessed, the sector has the potential to contribute more than $11 billion annually to the economy.
“Unfortunately, the production, trade and marketing of sheep and goats are seriously constrained by the continuous presence of PPR which limits its productivity, and access to markets. This disease often causes large financial losses, particularly detrimental to small ruminant farmers”, he noted.
The Minister further noted that the eradication of PPR and other major Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) is a critical component of the present administration, and by eliminating this disease, it will not only protect the livestock but also empower the rural communities and contribute to the nation’s economic resilience.
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“It is on record that since the inception of the PPR Global Eradication Programme, the Ministry through the Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services has made remarkable strides in controlling and reducing the prevalence of this disease.
“Through coordinated and concerted efforts, the Ministry has developed a PPR strategy for the control and eradication of PPR in Nigeria, national-wide socioeconomic impact assessment and prevalence studies has been carried out, and in recent time over 12.5 million doses of PPR vaccine have been procured and deployed to the field for vaccination campaigns.
“Additionally, laboratory diagnostic capacity has been enhanced. Nigeria in the coming years will ensure annual vaccination of 75% of sheep and goats against PPR”, the Minister added.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Country Team Leader for Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease (ECTAD), Dr. Otto Vianney Muhinda who represented the FOA Country Representative, Mr. Koffy Dominique Kouacou said the meeting provides a crucial forum to enhance the coordination among countries with the aim of spearheading accelerated progress towards PPR eradication and the socioeconomic benefits this will bring for West Africa.
He said the FAO and partners are working with endemic countries, as well as historically PPR-free countries to support activities towards disease freedom status, as well as promote regional harmonization, political commitment, and advocacy,
Kouacou said in Africa, FAO has been working closely with AUC for the formulation and implementation of the continental, regional and national strategic plans.
“Through joint coordination with WOAH but with strong partnerships with research institutions and non-governmental organizations, and via the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture to support countries’ laboratory and technological capacities as well as technology transfer,
“Capacity building and technology transfer was carried out, in collaboration with the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, for 39 countries with more than 100 participants trained. In 2022, PPR proficiency testing (PT) was carried out in 31 countries for 34 laboratories. In 2023, PPR PT was carried out in 37 countries for 39 laboratories”, he added.
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