- Time to stem this pestilence
That bird flu, a strain of avian influenza virus, is ravaging 26 states of Nigeria’s 36, as well as the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, cannot be good news.
That a new H5N8 strain, different from but more potent than the N5N1 ravaging the country, has just been diagnosed in Kano is even worse.
It is time to seek a lasting solution to this perennial threat.
Audu Ogbeh, minister of Agriculture, on January 10, spoke on the current epidemic, unfurling measures the government was putting up to combat it. But from the minister’s projection, poultry farmers may be in for some short-term shock.
To start with, they face likely trade recession, as the cross-border market is shut against them, to prevent the flu entering other neighbouring countries. Beside that trade deficit, there is likely to be an egg glut in the country, with corresponding crashing of prices.
Then, some 3.5 million birds have perished. That has bored a deep hole in the pocket of poultry farmers nationwide, necessitating a bill of N707.67 million in compensation, to some 276 farmers. Though the compensation had reportedly commenced, the Federal Government, according to the minister, was still shopping for funds to complete it.
The government should swiftly do that. The affected farmers deserve some relief, while efforts are being made to control the bird flu and avert a future epidemic.
Still, relief in emergencies ought not to be tied to the neck of the government alone. The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) should, therefore, encourage its members, from the biggest to the smallest players, to take insurance policies as part of routine production costs.
The Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) should take the lead in insuring poultry products. By some provisions of the NAIC Act of 1993, farmers are even entitled to subsidies on premiums, in certain circumstances. Besides, NAIC was founded to eliminate adhoc funding, by government, in times of agricultural disasters.
It is not clear what percentage of the corporation’s portfolio, vis-a-vis other agricultural lines, is engaged in poultry. But bird flu emergencies like these offer NAIC fine opportunities to partner with PAN to impress it on poultry farmers the imperative of insurance. That way, there would be a structured system of compensating for wastes, outside the government coffers.
Accidents and emergencies cannot totally be prevented. The last bout of nationwide bird flu in Nigeria was from 2006 to 2008. In 2014, outbreaks occurred in Kano and Lagos, but were curtailed before flaring into a national crisis. Now, in 2017, 26 states — and still counting? — are at risk. There must therefore be a sound national response strategy, to nip such emergencies, the moment they occur.
That is why the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, must always boast a sound and prompt diagnostic regime, at the slightest hint of trouble. It should also be prompt with the release of bird disease containment materials, while the Federal Government, with the state governments, must always have, at the ready, a vibrant national emergency response plan, against avian influenza.
At the end of it all, however, the golden counsel is wisest: prevention is better than cure.
Chief Ogbeh, in his briefing, rued some farmers’ non-compliance with on-farm quarantine and movement restrictions, others’ violation of bio-safety measures on the altar of convenience, clustering of poultry farmers with nary adherence to basic hygienic codes, filthy practices of egg and manure merchants and some poultry farmers’ reluctance to register with state directors of veterinary services, for monitoring and regulation.
This is a classic example of a few imperiling the many. Agricultural authorities nationwide should ensure such errant behaviours are no longer tolerated.
It is the proverbial stitch in time that saves nine.
