They are Dansarki Poultry farm owned by a serving senator, Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawal and Premium Poultry Farm, owned by the chairman Board of Directors of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, Alhaji Mahey Rasheed.
The cost of the birds affected by the virus was said to be in the neighbourhood of N200 Million.
Information reaching us showed that while the Premium Farm lost a total of 750,000 assorted birds, Dansarki Farm lost about 350,000.
It was gathered that on noticing the attack of the bird flu, the two farms quickly disposed the chickens that were affected even as they distributed the ones that were yet to be affected, free to the people in the neighbourhood.
This is even as Kano State Government has announced the killing of over 120,000 birds since the outbreak of bird flu resurfaced in the state two weeks ago.
Dr. Shehu Bawa, the Director of Veterinary Services in the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano today that the birds were killed in 29 infected poultry farms across the state.
“As I am talking to you now, 29 farms were depopulated, while 11 samples have been sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute for confirmation.”
He said that his Department, in collaboration with the officials of the Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria, would continue to sensitize farmers on the need to ensure a clean environment.
Bawa called on farmers who had yet to register with the ministry and the association to do so in their own interest.
“Any farmer who fails to abide by the order should have himself or herself to blame as he would not be considered for any compensation or support.”
The director, however, appealed to the Federal Government to assist the affected farmers to alleviate their sufferings.
The state government had last week released N3 million for the procurement of disinfectants to clean the affected farms. [myad]
