Federal Government may have
concluded plans to ban sale and widespread consumption of hides and
skins(Ponmo)which is a delicacy to most Nigerians.
This indication emerged
Tuesday when the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr.
Akinwunmi Adesina called for competent regulations that would check the
consumption and sale of the product.
He said this at the 3rd joint
anniversary of Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) and Nigeria
Institute of Animal Science held at the University of Ibadan.
If this is achieved, he noted
that livestock farmers would stand good chances of making high dollar return if
the hides and skins are tanned into leather.
The minister who was
represented at the occasion by the Director, Animal Production and Husbandry in
the Ministry, Dr. Ademola Raji, said, ”I also commend NIAS for its advocacy and
public enlightenment programs on Radio and Television that promote value
addition in Livestock, as against sale and consumption of primary products
alone, particularly with the issue of curtailing the widespread consumption of
hides and skins as Kpomo which ought to be tanned into leather for a very high
dollar return to the farmer and Tanneries.
I expect that competent regulations
acceptable by all stakeholders will be developed so as to give credibility that
our set standards for food safety are being implemented which will boost value
addition.”
The theme of the programme was
entitled, “Value Addition in the Nigerian Livestock Industry: A strategy for
Economic Growth and Stakeholders Empowerment”.
The minister stressed that FG
would continue to drive its Agricultural Transformation Agenda with increased
vigour in all its ramifications, pleading for continuous support and cooperation
of all stakeholders in the livestock sector to deliver the benefits.
He said,”I am confident that
the satisfactory production levels achieved in the poultry and swine segments
will soon stretch to reach other commodities such as beef, dairy, micro
livestock and animal by products such as leather, bones, hides and skins.
The drive to turn Agriculture
into business and not merely a way of life is now in full gear, with the use of
mobile phones and e- wallet for input distribution directly to farmers,
farmer’s registration with biometric identity cards and the Growth Enhancement
Support scheme.
We have all seen the
revolution in Rice production and processing; in cassava, sorghum and cotton
that have increased output per hectare, through the supply of high quality raw
materials to revive industries that have hitherto closed down.”
Food production, he said, rose
in 2013 by 8 million metric tonnes over 2012 figures which represents over 70%
growth of the target set for 2015 by Government.
“In 2012, 264,000 hectares of
dry season paddy rice cultivated in the Northern states alone yielded 1.1
million metric tonnes.” he added.
Speaking earlier, NIAS
President, Professor Placid Njoku, applauded the Federal government for
tackling the deadly Ebola virus disease, noting that the institute would
encourage its members to undertake visionary studies aimed at producing popular
bush meat in the country in ”intensive ,hygienic and Ebola disease free
environment.”
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Society
He is stupid. Is that the problem of livestock farmers in Nigeria? He is bereft of idear in the sector.
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