The Ekiti state government has disclosed its commitment to enhancing livestock productivity by placing priority on the animal health system and building the capacity of the workforce.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and food security, Ebenezer Boluwade, explained that the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji believed the livestock sector is critical to the development of the society especially in enhancing food security and economic growth.
Boluwade spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during the training of top veterinary officers, para-veterinarians, community animal health workers and livestock officers on effective disease surveillance for livestock productivity and resilience support projects.
The project is under the world bank’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project ( L-PRES) in collaboration with the federal ministry of agriculture being implemented across 20 states including Ekiti state.
Represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Olugbenga Odesanmi, the commissioner noted that the training was to equip the animal health professionals on disease surveillance and protection on animals to ensure healthy consumption by the people.
He said, “Effective disease surveillance training aligns with our state’s commitment to prioritizing animal health and food security and we will continue to support initiatives such as this training that will strengthen our animal system.
“Diseases play a significant role in reducing the productivity of the livestock sector through increase in medication cost, affect international trade, reduced herd size and reduced flock productivity negatively , thereby affecting the food and nutrition security.”
The state project coordinator, Olayinka Adedipe who was represented by Muyiwa Adelodun gave the overview of the project which includes resolving the incessant farmers-herders clashes with the setting up of mediation committee among the stakeholders.
The chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, Ekiti chapter, Ayodeji Ojo commended the efforts of the present administration in the state in enhancing livestock production, adding that all the investment would soon be felt in the economy.
One of the resource persons, Dr Emmanuel Awosanya from the Veterinary public health and preventive, University of Ibadan, harped on the need for the government and stakeholders to collaborate towards ensuring a healthy and productive livestock sector in the state.