Abuja, Jan.7, 2019 (NAN) The Sheep and Goat Farmers Association of Nigeria (SHEGOFAN) on Monday, urged the Federal Government to support it by training its members on modern ways of breeding small ruminants.
The association National President, Alhaji Wahabi Salami, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria.
Salami said this would help the association achieve its goal of producing healthier animals for both internal consumption and export.
He commended the Federal government for increasing the allocation of livestock to 50 per cent in the budget.
According to him, the increase will go a long way in helping the association to achieve its goals in 2019.
« We need grants, loans, insurance for successful breeding and also provision of fast grown breeds and medications for the animals.
« The present government has done beyond expectations because in the past years, there were promises unfulfilled, we heard, we smelt but never taste.
« Upon the abundance of the feeds in Southern Nigeria, we appeal to the government to provide adequate support for the sheep and goat farmers as it is being provided for poultry farmers, » he said.
The national President said the association had plans to train more members in handling local technologies and organic method for breeding their animals in 2019.
He said the association would do its best to sensitise members on the importance of breeding and raise their awareness on the business prospects of breeding to enable each member at least, 500 animals (ruminants) in his or her care.
« Having 500 animals in a farm will enable the agro-based industries to provide different products from the animals to the populace.
« We also plan to have well-constructed and fenced pen for the animals so that they can be adequately protected from external forces.
« We aim to generate more income and minimise the rate of diseases attacking the animals. »
Salami, however, listed some of the challenges confronting the farmers to include; paucity of funds, diseases attacking animals, lack of transportation to move animals to the market.
The other challenge he said, was preference on imported breeds than the local ones by consumers, among others.
He urged the farmers to take care of their animals and make sure the animals get good medications when needed, in spite of the challenges.
Salami called on the Nigerian Institute of Animal Scientists to always organise seminars/workshops for the farmers on modern breeding to boost their production.
