Viral infection, NAIC Partners Grand Cereals to Compensates Livestock Farmers

Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation has boosted its profile as it partners Grand Cereals & Oil Mills Limited (GCOML), a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc and makers of Vital Feeds, in compensating farmers who suffered losses as a result of mortalities of their livestock caused by marek disease, a viral infection common with birds.
The farmers were compensated proportionally according to the number of birds lost to the dreadful disease. The farms affected by the disease and duly compensated include Janesh Farm situated at Akwanga, Nassarawa State; Anamonye Farms Ltd and Planglan Poultry Farm.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony which took place at Janesh Farm, Akwanga, Austin Dalyop, marketing manager, GCOML stated that the challenge militating against poultry farming in Nigeria and the world over is the emergence of new animal disease and the re-emergence of old ones.
According to him several farmers have lost their means of livelihood to some of these diseases; a case in point he said is the bird flu saga of 2006 that wiped out over 30% of the bird population in the country.
He said the Marek disease usually affects birds two to five months old and causes lymphoid tumors with symptoms varying according to the position of the tumor.
He explained that once contracted, the nerves of the birds are affected and spastic paralysis occurs either in the legs, wings, or neck. The virus remains infective for many months in litter or dry feathers
He stated that, in order to forestall this unpredictability and reduce the losses of farmers, Grand Cereals & Oil Mill Limited, in conjunction with Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) has further decided to insure poultry farmers free of charge.
He said, “in protecting the farm and business of our loyal customers who use Vital Feeds, GCOML insured their farms so that when mortalities do happen, the farm will be compensated. The insurance scheme is at no cost to the farmers as GCOML pays the premium.”
At the event, the farm manager, Janesh Farm, Mrs.Barki Sameel, received a cheque of N1, 022,407.00 as compensation for the loss of 1,300 birds. Rev. Stephen Okolie of Anamonye Farms Ltd. was presented with a cheque of N259, 689.60 for 300 birds while Mrs. Josephine Shike, owner of Planglan Poultry Farms who suffered a loss of 200 birds received N158, 961.00.
Expressing her gratitude for the initiative, Mrs.Sameel said “she was devastated when the birds started dying and because of the magnitude, she feared the claims will not be paid; but was surprised when a credit alert allayed her fears. She stated that she has purchased new birds now.
Also contributing,Grand Cereal’s brand manager, Feeds, Mr. Emmanuel Shodipe, said the company is committed to the success of poultry and fish farmers in the country, adding that Vital Feeds contains chemical that help reduces microbial infection in birds.