FG, Ogun Govt Move To Prevent Further Losses In Poultry, Aquaculture Businesses.. Caution Farmers Against Abuse Of Antibiotics - EDU-BIZNEWS

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Friday, November 22, 2024

FG, Ogun Govt Move To Prevent Further Losses In Poultry, Aquaculture Businesses.. Caution Farmers Against Abuse Of Antibiotics




Fish and poultry farmers in Ogun State have been cautioned against the abused of antibiotics, so as  to prevent further losses in aquaculture and poultry businesses occasioned by massive death of livestock caused by antimicrobial resistance 

Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr.Columba Teru Vakuru, the State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo and representative of Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations, Dr. Solomon Olorunleke gave warning in their separate remarks on Friday during a workshop jointly organized in Abeokuta by Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and that of the State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security with the support of FAO for stakeholders in the poultry and aquaculture value chain, as part of activities marking the 2024 World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 

The country's Chief Veterinary Officer represented by the State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, at the Sensitization programme, stressed the need for fish and poultry farmers to always follow the prescription of qualified Veterinary Doctors after a laboratory confirmation of the clinical diagnosis of the disease in question before using  antimicrobials on  livestock in their farms 

According to him, the issues of Antimicrobial Resistance has become a global concern due to inability and resistance to treat common infectious diseases resulting from misuse or overuse of antibiotics.

He said that the importance of workshop was to increase awareness of AMR and encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drugs resistance infections.


The Chief Veterinary Officer described the theme of this year's celebration "Educate, Advocate and Act Now', as timely to create awareness on the dangers associated with misuses /overuse of antimicrobials

Vakuru urged the poultry farmers and fish farmers to work collectively to build a thriving and productive livestock sector 

"We must honestly and transparently collaborate to address this menace of drug resistance that has tremendously affected the growth and development of this industry in Nigeria. Our combined support for this cause will significantly improve veterinary service delivery, boost food security, enhance export trade of livestock and its related products and also expand the National GDP as a Nigeria seeks lucrative ways to expand the revenue flow in the economy", he charged 

Also the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security represented by Director of Veterinary Services in the ministry, Dr. Taiwo Jolaoso, called on farmers and other stakeholders to work with the State Government to collectively tackle the danger of antimicrobials in livestock production 

He urged them to use the knowledge acquired at the workshop to train others, so as to reduce the miss use of antibiotics and disturbing rate of Antimicrobial Resistance in the livestock sector of the country's economy 

Also the representative of FAO , Dr. Olorunleke who warned the farmers against indiscriminate use of antibiotics or self medication,  emphasized the importance of consulting of qualified Veterinary Doctors in administering of drugs on livestock to prevent losses of their huge investment in the business 


He also stressed the need for the farmers to put strict security in place through proper sanitation of their farms to prevent diseases 

The State Director of Fisheries in the ministry, Princess Victoria Ojelade in her remark ,said those in aqualcuture were always mindful of the need to ensure clean water for their fishes to reduce such antimicrobials resistance 

Similarly President private veterinarians, in the state, Dr. Olakunle Bayewu, CEO Reliance Veterinary Clinic,  while appreciating the efforts of government at addressing the menace of antimicrobials resistance caused by abused of antibiotics, advocated for proper legislation to regulate the use of antibiotics and guide against sub-standard drugs 

The awareness week continues on Saturday with another workshop for selected students from secondary schools to further sanitization against danger of antimicrobials resistance in livestock production 

The experts listed the consequences of Antimicrobial Resistance to include prolong duration of the disease even with treatment, increase cost of treatment or failure and death as well as prolong duration of the disease even with treatment and increase cost of treatment or failure and death amongst others 


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