Ekiti State Government advises pig farmers on preventive measures against African swine fever to protect livestock and prevent economic losses.
Ebenezer Boluwade, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Ekiti State, has cautioned pig farmers about the dangers of African swine fever.
The commissioner stated that the disease might lead to a higher mortality rate among pigs and negatively impact piggery businesses.
Boluwade issued the warning in an advisory provided to farmers and stakeholders in Ado-Ekiti, urging them to implement preventive measures promptly to combat the highly contagious viral disease.
He suggests that preventive measures involve farmers enhancing biosecurity on their farms, improving animal nutrition to boost immunity, raising farm sanitation standards, and restricting visits to other farms.
According to the commissioner, additional steps to prevent African swine fever include slaughtering and processing mature pigs to lower risks, raising awareness among farm attendants and workers through strict warnings, and restricting human access as well as vehicle movement in and out of farms.
Boluwade also recommended that piggery farmers install a secure perimeter fence around their farm premises and cease exchanging or reusing feed bags.
The commissioner stressed the importance of farmers paying attention to the warning to support and strengthen Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration’s efforts in reducing hunger and ensuring food security in Ekiti State.
