Jane Johnson
Tue, Aug 1, 2023 8:30 PMNigerian Veterinary Association Urges Livestock Farmers to Insure Farms
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The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has urged livestock farmers across the country to secure insurance coverage from the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) to safeguard against potential losses in the event of a disease outbreak.
Dr. Olutoyin Adetuberu, the National President of the NVMA, and Ifeanyi Ogbu, Chairman of the FCT Chapter, emphasized the importance of agricultural insurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). They recommended that farmers explore the insurance services provided by NAIC, which is a dedicated Federal Government insurance company established to provide agricultural risk insurance cover for Nigerian farmers.
Addressing the question of compensation for farmers whose animals have been affected by diseases, Ogbu noted that there is currently no compensation scheme in place. He explained that during the era of Avian Influenza, compensations were provided based on World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations to burn and close affected animal farms. However, because of fraudulent claims from individuals without farms, compensations were terminated, and farmers are now encouraged to seek agric insurance from NAIC.
Adetuberu emphasized that agricultural insurance is the only means through which farmers can guarantee their earnings, given the absence of a compensation scheme. However, she appealed to the Federal Government to consider implementing a compensation scheme for farmers whose animals are deemed unfit for consumption in abattoirs.
Highlighting the implications of nonpayment of compensation, Adetuberu raised concerns about farmers selling moribund or diseased animals to the general populace. This poses a significant risk to public health, as unwholesome meat may find its way into the food supply chain.
While the NVMA advocates for insurance coverage, some farmers, like Abdullahi Mohammed, find the process cumbersome. Mohammed expressed a preference for selling animals laden with diseases instead of exploring the services provided by NAIC. He believes that compensating farmers for affected farms would be a more effective way to curb the spread of diseases, as it would encourage farmers to willingly report outbreaks.
In conclusion, the NVMA is urging livestock farmers in Nigeria to take proactive steps in protecting their farms by securing insurance coverage from NAIC. The absence of a compensation scheme highlights the significance of insurance to safeguard farmers' earnings. The government is also called upon to consider compensating farmers whose animals are declared unfit for consumption to address the challenges posed by disease outbreaks within the livestock industry.
Source of content: OOO News 2023-08-01 News
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