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Pig farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria, have raised concerns over a severe outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), reporting that thousands of pigs have died and hundreds of pig farms have been forced to close. They warned that the disease is causing losses worth billions of naira and threatening the survival of one of the country's major pork-producing regions.
The outbreak has severely disrupted the pig industry, which supports thousands of farmers, farm workers, transporters, processors and marketers, while contributing significantly to the state's economy and food security. In addition to widespread livestock losses, panic sales and declining consumer confidence have caused pork prices to fall sharply, leaving many farmers unable to restock or sustain their businesses.
Pig producers have appealed for urgent government intervention to prevent the collapse of the sector. They have called for the establishment of an emergency response committee to assess the scale of the outbreak, provide affected farmers with technical assistance, biosecurity materials and financial support, and develop a comprehensive recovery and restocking plan.
Farmers warned that without swift action, the continued spread of ASF could further damage livelihoods, increase unemployment and worsen food insecurity. They nevertheless expressed hope that the state government would respond quickly to contain the outbreak and help restore the pig industry.
July 11, 2026/Plateau State-Nigeria/
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