There are indications that Federal Government may have concluded plans to ban sale and consumption of hides and skins, popularly called Ponmo, which is a delicacy to many Nigerians.
Akinwunmi Adesina the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, speaking on Tuesday at the 3rd joint anniversary of Animal Science Association of Nigeria, ASAN, and Nigeria Institute of Animal Science held at the University of Ibadan called for competent regulations that would check the consumption and sale of Ponmo in Nigeria.
He stated that livestock farmers would stand good chances of making high dollar return if the hides and skins are tanned into leather.
Ademola Raji, Director, Animal Production and Husbandry in the Ministry who represented the minister at the occasion 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 Ponmo, 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 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.
“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 bye 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,” he said.
Adesina also stated that food production rose in 2013 by 8 million metric tonnes over 2012 figures that represent over 70 per cent growth of the target set for 2015 by government.
