Kwara Trains 100 Livestock Farmers on Biosecurity to Curb Disease Losses

News in Brief:

— Kwara State has trained 100 livestock farmers on biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks, reduce animal losses and improve farm productivity.

— The training focused on practical disease prevention, farm hygiene, movement control, waste management, infrastructure and standard operating procedures across livestock farms.

The Kwara State Government trained 100 livestock farmers on biosecurity measures to reduce preventable disease outbreaks and economic losses in the state's livestock sector.

The two-day capacity-building workshop, held in Ilorin, focused on biosecurity and animal health, udder health management, biosecurity infrastructure, developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and adopting biosecurity practices.

Speaking at the workshop, Toyosi Thomas, Kwara State Commissioner for Livestock Development, said infectious diseases threaten livestock production. They can devastate herds, reduce productivity and impose high financial costs on farmers and government.

She described biosecurity as a proactive approach that prevents the introduction and spread of infectious diseases rather than relying primarily on treatment after an outbreak occurs.

Farm Hygiene and Movement Control

Thomas said effective biosecurity could improve animal welfare and productivity while reducing mortality, production losses and reliance on antibiotics and veterinary interventions.

She noted that healthier animals grow faster, produce more milk, gain weight more efficiently and reproduce more successfully.

For dairy farmers, she said stronger biosecurity could boost milk yields and quality, while beef producers could benefit from healthier cattle reaching market weight more efficiently.

She added that poultry and small-ruminant farmers could also record lower mortality and better flock performance when disease risks are properly managed.

The commissioner urged farmers to invest in basic biosecurity infrastructure, including perimeter fencing, vehicle sanitation points, quarantine facilities, footbaths and proper drainage systems.

Biosecurity Extends Beyond Farms

Yahaya Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary in the state department, emphasised the need to institutionalise biosecurity practices across livestock farms in Kwara State.

He urged farmers and other stakeholders to apply disease prevention measures throughout the livestock value chain, from production to processing and marketing.

Abdulateef Olugbodun, the Director of Veterinary Services in the ministry, added that the training would strengthen participants' practical knowledge of farm hygiene, movement control, waste management and disease reporting.

Dr Aisha Olatunji of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital said poor biosecurity practices could contribute to high mortality, low productivity and financial losses among livestock farmers.

She also highlighted the risks of zoonotic infections, transboundary animal diseases and antimicrobial resistance to both animal and human health.