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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has agreed to a $350,000 emergency intervention fund to help Nigeria tackle a bird flu (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) out break across 11 affected States in the country.The technical support programme which was announced in Abuja, is aimed at improving animal health systems and strengthen disease surveillance, as well as establishing a livestock donor working group to develop a national feed and fodder strategy.
The agreement was reached during a strategic meeting between Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister, Livestock Development, and Hussein Gadain, representative Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and ECOWAS.
Maiha said strengthening disease control systems is critical to improving livestock productivity and safeguarding investments in the sector.
The minister said collaboration with the FAO would help protect livestock assets and support broader reforms aimed at transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry into a more productive and resilient sector.
In addition, both parties also reviewed Nigeria’s progress in tackling Peste des Petits Ruminants, a highly contagious disease affecting sheep and goats, which has long constrained small ruminant production across Africa.
As part of the strategy, the Ministry will work with the National Veterinary Research Institute to assess domestic vaccine production capacity while exploring additional procurement options to close supply gaps.
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Officials also discussed accessing financing from the Pandemic Fund through the One Health framework in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for zoonotic disease outbreaks.
Stakeholders say improved disease surveillance, stronger veterinary services and coordinated donor support are essential for stabilising livestock production and boosting investor confidence in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving livestock sector.
The meeting further agreed to establish a livestock donor working group to coordinate development partner support, including plans to develop a national feed and fodder strategy aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in the industry.
