EKITI GOVT RAISES BIOSECURITY ALARM IN POULTRY SECTOR.
The Ekiti State Government has raised an urgent biosecurity alarm to poultry farmers and industry stakeholders, warning that poor hygiene practices and uncontrolled movement of birds could expose the State’s poultry sector to devastating disease outbreaks.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, in a statement issued on Thursday, urged poultry farmers across the State to strictly observe standard biosecurity and farm hygiene measures, noting that the post-yuletide period is usually characterised by increased movement of poultry and poultry products as farmers rush to restock empty pens.
He cautioned that such farm-to-farm movement often facilitates the rapid transmission of infectious poultry diseases, thereby threatening farmers’ investments and the overall sustainability of the poultry industry in the State.
Boluwade advised farmers to procure day-old chicks and other poultry birds only from reputable and verifiable sources, warning against the sharing of farm equipment and the admission of unauthorised visitors into poultry farms.
He further urged poultry owners to promptly report any signs of ill health or unusual mortality in their flocks to the nearest Veterinary Office in their respective Local Government Areas or seek immediate veterinary intervention to curb the spread of diseases.
The Commissioner also reminded the general public that the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of poultry products into Nigeria remains in force, stressing that Ekiti State is not exempted from the policy. He encouraged residents to support the local economy by patronising locally produced and healthy poultry products.
Boluwade reaffirmed the commitment of the Ekiti State Government to protecting the poultry value chain, ensuring food security, safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods and promoting public health across the State.
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