NAN-AE-17
Vaccination
By Mohammed Mamman
Babbangida (Yobe), Jan. 19, 2017 (NAN) The Yobe Government on Thursday launched the mass vaccination of livestock to improve animal health, meat and dairy production in the state.
Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam, who launched the exercise in Babbangida, headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area, said that government would support livestock farmers, as part of efforts to boost the state’s economy.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mustapha Gajerima, reiterated the government’s commitment to diversifying the state’s economy through agriculture, including livestock farming.
He stressed that government would always provide routine veterinary services to treat animal diseases, in addition to the mass vaccination exercise which was initiated to protect the animals from trans-border diseases.
“This vaccination will cover common trans-border diseases like Contagious Bovine Pluro Pneumonia (CBPP), Black Quarter (BQ) and Pest Petit Ruminants (PPR) and Anti-Rabies (AR) for dogs,’’ he said.
Gaidam commended the Yobe Livestock Development Programme (YLDP) for mobilising the people to partake in the exercise, while ensuring the adequate coverage of animals in the state.
He, however, urged herdsmen to avoid encroaching into farmlands and farmers to refrain from cultivating crops on demarcated cattle grazing routes.
Dr Mustapha Gaidam, Programme Manager, YLPD, said that 900 herds of cattle and other animals were vaccinated at the launch of the programme.
“This is a yearly exercise for us in Yobe and we have, through the annual vaccination, controlled the outbreak of animal diseases across the state.
“The vaccination will continue at the zonal and local offices throughout the state to ensure that every animal in the state is covered,’’ he said.
The programme manager commended the state government and community leaders for supporting the programme.
“The state has a lot of economic opportunities in livestock, waiting to be exploited to improve the economy of individual farmers and the state,’’ he said. (NAN)
MM/FF/OOK
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Edited by Fela Fashoro, Dayo Komolafe