Pig farmers in Ogun State have reportedly suffered losses exceeding ₦5 billion following an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), prompting affected farmers to call on the government for compensation and access to soft loans.

The outbreak has dealt a major blow to pig farming businesses in the state, leaving farmers grappling with significant financial losses and uncertainty over the future of their operations.

African Swine Fever is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs.

Although it does not infect humans, the disease can cause high mortality among pigs and lead to severe economic losses for farmers and other players in the pork value chain.

The affected farmers have reportedly staged protests to draw attention to their plight and urge the government to intervene through financial assistance and accessible credit facilities.

They are seeking compensation for losses suffered during the outbreak, as well as soft loans to enable them to rebuild their farms, restock their facilities and resume production.

The development has raised concerns about the vulnerability of livestock farmers to disease outbreaks and the need for stronger veterinary services, effective disease surveillance and emergency support mechanisms.

A timely government response could help affected farmers recover from the losses, protect livelihoods and support the sustainability of the state’s livestock sector.