Oke-Aro:The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has initiated a campaign to tackle African Swine Fever (ASF) at the Oke-Aro Pig Farm Estate, which is located across Lagos and Ogun States.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the campaign involves providing farmers with protective and disease-control kits to enhance farm hygiene and minimize the risk of disease outbreaks. ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs and poses significant economic threats, though it does not infect humans.
Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, highlighted the importance of this intervention for Oke-Aro, a major pig production hub in Nigeria. The estate has previously suffered severe ASF outbreaks, leading to significant losses in pigs and investments.
The campaign, part of L-PRES’s broader animal health efforts, included the distribution of biosecurity kits by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha. The items distributed to farmers included Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), boots, sprayers, gloves, masks, protective goggles, and disinfectants such as CID 20 and Virocid.
In addition to material support, the campaign will provide training for pig farmers on biosecurity measures and best practices. Abubakar emphasized that equipping farmers with both materials and knowledge is crucial for maintaining effective biosecurity.
Mr. Adebowale Ayodeji, President of the Pig Farmers Association of Nigeria, expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and L-PRES for their support. He noted that ASF is a major challenge in pig farming and that the provision of biosecurity resources and training would assist farmers in safeguarding their livestock and investments. Ayodeji also emphasized the importance of ongoing awareness and urged farmers to routinely disinfect their farms and manage the movement of people and equipment.