By Adelola Amihere
Unless the Federal Government excludes the livestock industry in the current lockdown and movement restriction enforced to contain the spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria, the poultry subsector may lose up to N16 trillion in terms of value, the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) has warned.
A statement signed by NIAS President, Professor Isreal Adu and the Registrar, Professor Eaustace Iyayi, the Institute also called on government to allow herdsmen/pastoralists to graze their animals freely.
According to the statement, “The Poultry industry for example with about 200 million birds and a total value of over N16 trillion cannot be allowed to collapse.
“Also related to it are the feed industry and hatcheries on which the poultry subsector depends.
“Personnel working in the livestock sector should, upon proper identification, be allowed movement across state boarders and within the state.
“We pledge our total support for and ready collaboration with the government in the effort to overcome this common, unseen but deadly enemy that threatens our very existence”.
Making a suggestion on what government could do, the NIAS proposed that “in order to cushion the effect the pandemic will have on livestock producers arising from the lockdown, we call on the government to adopt the model of off-taking the products (such as eggs, milk, meat, whose production cannot be stopped) from the farmers and distributing same to the people palliative measure for the period of the pandemic Our Zonal Offices in the geopolitical zones are ready to swing into action if so considered and directed”.
Expressing worry over the speed the virus has been spreading in the country since the first index case was reported, the NIAS however commended the government for the efforts made so far in stopping the spread of the virus.
“We commend President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government, the various state governments and other relevant agencies for the response and the mobilization of resources, both human and material to stem the tide so far.
“We equally commend the government for the measures taken so far to prevent further spread of the virus”, the statement noted.
While reiterating the role of livestock producers and operators in ancillary services, which are important to the livestock value chains, the institute pledged to support to government in ensuring that the spread of the disease is contained as well as offer its expertise to ameliorate the hardship these operators will face.
