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The Federal Government has moved to support pig farmers in Plateau State following an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development providing disinfectants, biosecurity materials and other essential consumables to help contain the disease.
A federal delegation carried out surveillance visits to several affected farms, including Enechangs Piggery Farm in Agingi, Bassa Local Government Area; Tabitha Jahota Shukrit Farm in Jos South; and Susan Sunday Alison Farm, also in Bassa. The team also inspected Da Mancha Integrated Farms Limited in Jos North, which has so far remained free of the disease.
As part of the visit, officials called on the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) and the University of Jos Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) to strengthen collaboration on disease diagnosis and research.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Livestock Development, the Chief Veterinary Officer and National Programme Coordinator for African Swine Fever, Dr Yakubu Yanet Ago, said the assessment was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector.
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Dr Ago said the visit was part of a broader effort to assess the scale of the outbreak and coordinate a more effective response with state and institutional partners. He directed the federal response team to step up the distribution of biosecurity supplies to farmers in the state and confirmed that officials had also engaged affected farmers directly and collected additional samples for laboratory testing.
On the issue of compensation, which farmers have been advocating, Dr Ago said such schemes remain rare across the continent, noting that Côte d’Ivoire is currently one of the few African countries compensating farmers affected by the disease. He added that African Swine Fever is classified among Nigeria’s priority transboundary animal diseases, with the Federal Government setting aside annual budgetary allocations to combat seven major diseases in that category.
Officials from both institutions visited welcomed the ministry’s response. Professor Chidiebere Uchendu, Deputy Director at the University of Jos Veterinary Teaching Hospital, commended the swift intervention and pledged continued collaboration on surveillance and public awareness. Dr Joshua Kamani, Director of Livestock Development Services at NVRI, similarly praised the coordinated federal and state response and promised continued support.
For their part, affected farmers thanked the Federal Government for the intervention but appealed for further assistance, including training on biosecurity practices, starter packs and subsidised disinfectants to help rebuild their operations.
