The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, recently announced that the Nigerian government has provided a total of 3.9 million doses of a vaccine called Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and 7.7 million doses of a vaccine for Newcastle Disease to rural communities in Plateau, Bauchi, and Kano states over the past five years. These vaccines are crucial for protecting livestock, which is vital for the livelihoods of many farmers in these areas.
During a recent meeting in Abuja, where the government discussed the end of a project supported by the European Union aimed at improving livestock disease management, the minister acknowledged that while they have made efforts, there is still much work to be done to ensure food security in Nigeria. He emphasized that the ministry’s efforts to secure a stable food supply are ongoing and that they need to keep adjusting their policies and strategies to tackle the challenges they face.
One of the significant issues affecting many households is the rising cost of food, which has been driven by problems in the supply chain and increased transportation costs. This situation has contributed to a high inflation rate of 32.7% in the country, making it harder for families to afford basic necessities. In response, the government has introduced policies, such as eliminating import taxes on certain food items, but these measures have not yet had the desired effect.
The minister reassured everyone that the government is committed to implementing strategies that will ultimately lead to a food-secure nation, where agriculture plays a vital role in the economy and helps improve the health and nutrition of all Nigerians.
Aliyu, who was represented at the meeting by his special assistant, Aminu Oluwafisayo, praised the collaborative efforts of various organizations involved in the livestock sector. He noted that these partnerships have strengthened the health systems for animals and ensured that the agricultural sector can meet the nutritional needs of Nigeria’s growing population.
He highlighted the importance of working together to address diseases like Newcastle Disease in livestock. The collective efforts have improved understanding and management of this disease, leading to better guidelines for controlling and preventing outbreaks. Additionally, there have been improvements in how food surveillance officers detect and report diseases, particularly in cattle and poultry, which is crucial for maintaining healthy livestock.
The minister reiterated that these initiatives align with the President’s goal of achieving food security, where agriculture supports economic stability and improves nutrition for all Nigerians. He acknowledged that while they have made significant progress, the journey toward complete food security is far from finished.
In his closing remarks, Aliyu called for continued collaboration and innovation, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to support food security, enhance livestock health, and promote sustainable agricultural practices that benefit everyone in Nigeria. He expressed confidence that with ongoing partnerships, they are on the right track to transforming agriculture for the better.
Dr. Leila Mathieu, who leads human development for the European Union in Nigeria, also spoke at the meeting, highlighting the EU’s support for the Nigerian government’s efforts to combat animal diseases that affect farmers and herders. She explained that the program aimed to bring scientific knowledge directly to the field and strengthen the government’s ability to address animal health issues.
Mathieu emphasized the importance of translating the lessons learned from the project into actionable policies that are supported by adequate funding and resources to eradicate diseases affecting livestock in Nigeria and the surrounding region.
The event marked the conclusion of a five-year initiative that focused on improving the monitoring and control of two significant livestock diseases: Peste des Petits Ruminants and Newcastle Disease. The project successfully reached 222,000 smallholder farmers and made notable progress in disease surveillance, reporting many suspected cases of these diseases and distributing millions of vaccines to protect livestock.
