Islamic Dev. Bank to Fund Veterinary Vaccines in Niger

Niger has pledged to boost the production of veterinary vaccines in its Central Livestock Laboratory or LABOCEL, as a result of the 858 million CFA francs subsidiary to be provided by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the country’s Animal Resources Minister, Ag Khato said.

IDB’s backing is part of a support program to Islamic countries in a bid to ensure the self-sufficiency in veterinary vaccines, promote food security, increase farmers’ revenues and improve the livestock yield.

At the moment, Niger’s livestock sector is badly in need of improving its veterinary services in order to be able to cope with with the competitiveness on the international market, the Minister said.

In a statement issued to the press at the weekend, the government said the sanitary constraints limits the country’s trade exchange with other countries in the same epidemiological situation and hence the need for the IDB assistance.

LABOCEL produces veterinary vaccines to protect, control and eradicate animal diseases and has largely contributed to the elimination of cattle plague in Niger.

The facility is also the single state-owned outfit that certifies dairy products both for for import and export purposes.

Source African Press Agency

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