In a bid to protect the region's livestock population, Nigeria and other countries under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the World Animal Health (WOAH) have strategized to combat the deadly Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) disease.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abdullahi Aliyu, opened the '3rd Meeting of the Peste Des Petits Ruminants, PPR, Global Eradication Programme Regional Roadmap and Blueprint Consultation in the West Africa Region, Hybrid Conference' in Abuja, highlighting the importance of collective efforts in tackling the disease. He noted that 12.5 million doses of the PPR vaccine had been procured to combat the disease in Nigeria.
PPR, also known as sheep and goat plague, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects small ruminants, causing significant economic losses to farmers and the nation.
The disease has a devastating impact on the livestock industry in West Africa, affecting food security, economic stability, and the overall well-being of communities.
Aliyu expressed gratitude to development partners, including FAO and WOAH, for their unwavering support and collaborations in advancing the shared goal of eradicating PPR. The meeting brought together participants from ECOWAS member states and development partners, including the media.
The minister emphasized that the efforts and resources deployed for the conference were worthwhile, as the collective efforts of the region's countries and partners were crucial in tackling the disease.
He highlighted that PPR affects not only animal health but also food security, economic stability, and the overall well-being of communities, particularly vulnerable groups such as youths and women who depend on rearing small ruminants for a living.
