September 25, (THEWILL) — The federal government has called on fish farmers to be part of collective action to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials for future generations.
The Director of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Dr Samuel Anzaku, made the call in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, on Wednesday, at the Antimicrobial Resistance awareness and sensitisation programme for fish farmers in the state.
According to Dr Anzaku, fish farmers contribute to the protein needs or food security, as well as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria, which he noted cannot be overlooked.
“If the aquaculture industry is removed from the food security agenda, the nation will be significantly reducing a crucial source of animal protein, which may lead to worse nutritional intake and, importantly, cause the loss of vital livelihoods and jobs for many aquaculture business entrepreneurs”, Dr Anzaku declared.
With the theme “Act now, Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future”, the Director said it is a global calling as farmers must align with the agenda if we are to safeguard the available antimicrobials for the present and future use.
“It is expected that everyone must prioritise disease prevention by practicing good biosecurity and hygiene, using antimicrobials possibly in conjunction with a veterinarian”, he advised.
He expressed the hope that knowledge and skills gained on antimicrobial risks and their implications in the programme would continue to develop behaviours that promote responsible Antimicrobial use best practices in the aquacultural sector.
By working together, Dr Anzaku stressed that there can be an effective address of Antimicrobial challenges and promoting a healthier and more sustainable aquaculture industry in Nigeria.
Speaking on various topics, including the importance of record keeping in aquaculture enterprises, the role of fish farmers in Antimicrobial Surveillance, Antimicrobial and drivers of antimicrobial resistance in the animal health sector, a Facilitator, Mrs Maureen Rumun Kajo, stressed the need for fish farmers to be abreast with the current happenings in the sector.
According to her, it was in line with such that the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Abuja, in collaboration with Fleming Fund Fellowship Programmes, deemed it necessary to organise the one-day awareness and sensitisation programme on Antimicrobial Resistance for fish farmers and stakeholders in Nasarawa state, for them to know the dos and don’ts.
Mrs Kajo, therefore, called on fish farmers to adhere strictly to what they have learnt by avoiding self-medication on fish in order not to endanger the lives of both animal and human beings that consume it.
In his remarks, the President of Fish Farmers and Processors Association (FFPA) in Nasarawa state, Mr Manasseh Usman, described the awareness programme organised by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as timely for the lives of fish farmers in the state.
According to him, as a registered group of over 130 members in Nasarawa state, they stand to gain from the drugs, some of which are resistant, and fish carry it in the tissue, while fish consumers stand the risk of sickness after consumption.
While commending both the sponsors and facilitators for taking them through the sensitisation session, Mr Usman promised to step down what they have learnt to other members in the course of their monthly meetings in the state.
