In a bid to safeguard the health of its people and fully sanitise all Poultry markets in Ogun State, Live Birds Market (LBM) Operators and Poultry Value Chain actors have been trained on the promotion of Biosecurity and Disease Reporting by the State Ministry of Agriculture through its Veterinary Services Department.
Flagging off the training with the theme "Promoting Biosecurity, Disease Reporting In The Value Chain" at the Veterinary Services Department Ita-Eko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina noted that the training became imperative in order to ensure that bird marketers carry out their trade in the most healthy manner.
He stated that, as a border State, there was the need for stakeholders to guide against dumping of unhieginic animal.
"I want to assure you that the government will continue to do the needful in ensuring that Diseases animals especially those that have the potential to infect humans are nip in the bud. And because we share boundaries with neighbouring West African countries, it is important that we carry stakeholders along in this renewed drive.
"Our regular engagement with Live Bird Market disinfection and decontamination activities especially during festive periods has helped in no small major in checking the spread of Avian Influenza which has become a standard for effective control and eradication of the disease as recognised by the Food and Agricultural Organisation", Odedina said.
He added that the Ministry was committed to working with the Poultry sector operators to promote effective standards of Biosecurity, create a network for Disease Reporting and Surveillance to further build healthy poultry population as well as ensure profitability in poultry value chain.
Odedina disclosed that the state engage stakeholders through an all- inclusive Agricultural opportunity with a new focus to benefit all, "we have a new focus on Poultry in Ogun State. There is the Anchor Borrowers Programme for graduate and unemployed youths, Noiler programme for small holder farmers where we will support farmers with 50 birds and with inputs and the Mother hen project".
In his lecture tittled: "Biosecurity Guidelines for Live Bird Marketers", Deputy Director, Veterinary Services Department, Dr. Tade Olanrewaju enlightened the trainees that birds markets should be at least, 200 metres away from residential areas, advising them to ensure cleanliness and regular disinfection of the market as well as cages.
He enjoined them to see that their markets are of strong Biosecurity standards to be certified by Veterinary Doctors or Public Health Operators.
He counselled them to understand the value chains related to their markets saying restrictions must be placed on entry of poultry where diseases like zoonotic influenza viruses are on rampage, warning that dead birds must be properly disposed.
In their remarks,the duo of Ejide Balogun and Olaonipekun Ayodele appreciated the Government for the training saying, it has further exposed them to see themselves as Agricultural stakeholders, pledging to advice their members to imbibe hygienic poultry practice.
