The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has begun a free mass livestock campaign in Kano for 2022, with a target of 1, 025, 000 cattle and 750, 000 goats and sheep projected to consume N170, 440, 870.
The project was opened on Saturday by Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
According to reports, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) provided funds for the exercise through the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), the Islamic Development Bank Group’s poverty alleviation arm, for the purchase of vaccines, consumables, training, and logistics, among other things.
Read Also: Ganduje Launches N113 Million Artificial Insemination Project in Livestock
The goal is to protect cattle against diseases such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), which are severe threats to their production and health. It also aims to improve the entire quality of life of cattle, prevent financial loss, and increase human health.
Nigeria is one of the top five livestock producers in Sub-Saharan Africa, and livestock plays a key part in the country’s economy, accounting for more than 20% of total agricultural GDP (GDP). Kano is home to a large percentage of the country’s estimated 20.7 million cattle, 43.4 million sheep, and 76 million goats, thanks to the states’ relative stability.
The majority of peasants in the state, according to state Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who flagged off the exercise at Kadawa, Garun Mallam Local Government on Saturday, rely on domestic livestock, particularly cattle, sheep, and goats, not only as a source of food but also as a source of income, adding that outbreaks of livestock diseases have the potential to destroy their livelihoods.
“It is heartening to report that, based on the statistics available to us thus far, the CBPP and PPR vaccination exercise undertaken last year was quite effective, with 701, 042 cattle and 663,570 sheep and goats being vaccinated,” he continued. I did not receive information about the CBPP and PPR outbreaks in Kano last year, but we are not giving up,” the governor said.
“I’d like to thank the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihood Funds for their assistance. This action would not have taken place without their moral and financial support. These companies have made significant investments in the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, making it simpler for us to achieve our goal of reforming the agricultural sector and improving people’s lives.”
Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, the State Project Coordinator for the KSADP, stated that the exercise would be carried out by 220 KSADP-employed Community Animal Health Workers, 30 International Committee for Red Cross-supported Community Animal Health Workers, and 880 inoculators, all under the supervision of 41 veterinary doctors.
Read Also: Last week, Nine Security Officers, 53 Civilians Killed Across Nigeria
He went on to say that the vaccination, which would be carried out in collaboration with the State Ministry of Agriculture, would last four weeks and that more workers would be involved this year than last year to increase the exercise’s impact.
Meanwhile, Governor Ganduje used the occasion to formally introduce the KSADP’s 220 Community Animal Health Workers, who were given kits worth N70. 6 million including basic equipment and pharmaceuticals to enable them to provide basic animal health services in their communities. They will demand fees to resupply and make a living in exchange for such services.
Join Television Nigerian Whatsapp Now
Join Television Nigerian Facebook Now
Join Television Nigerian Twitter Now
Join Television Nigerian YouTUbe Now