The Lagos State Government has issued a strong warning to farmers and stakeholders on the dangers of indiscriminate antibiotic use in livestock and aquaculture, highlighting the risks it poses to food safety, farm profitability, and public health.
Emmanuel Audu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, sounded the warning during the “All Farmers Business Meeting (AFBM 2.0)” organised by Rid Labs in Ikorodu.
Represented by Olorunfemi Oniyide, Deputy Director, Fisheries Department, Audu commended the organisers for creating “a vital platform where farmers, agripreneurs, scientists, regulators, and investors can converge to share knowledge and explore innovative pathways for agricultural growth.”
Speaking on the theme, “Numbers Don’t Lie: Turning Farm Data into Profits,” he stressed that the future of agriculture depends on facts, figures, and analytics rather than guesswork.
Audu noted that indiscriminate antibiotic use results in rising livestock mortality, failed treatments, higher production costs, and significant public health risks.
He assured stakeholders of the Ministry’s commitment to promoting proper diagnosis, responsible veterinary drug use, continuous capacity building, and policy frameworks that safeguard farm profitability and protect public health.
“Lagos State is committed to building a stronger, more sustainable, and profitable agricultural sector through the adoption of data-driven solutions and the fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR),” Audu reaffirmed.
He further assured farmers of the government’s unwavering support, promising to strengthen food systems, drive agricultural innovation, and secure food security for all residents.
Meanwhile, Femi Dairo, Chief Executive/Business Head of RID LAB, emphasised the organisation’s mission to curb indiscriminate drug use in livestock.
He warned that many farmers rely on guesswork or wrong data when treating their animals, leading to poor outcomes and worsening antimicrobial resistance.
“RID LAB is working to change this culture by showing farmers that science-driven farming is not a burden, but the gateway to profitability and sustainability,” Dairo said.
He explained that farms adopting evidence-based treatment through accurate diagnosis have recorded higher livestock survival rates and better returns on investment.
“By removing guesswork and relying on scientific data, farmers can protect their animals, reduce unnecessary drug use, preserve the potency of antibiotics, and achieve measurable results,” he added.
Dairo reiterated RID LAB’s commitment to providing farmers with accurate diagnoses, regulators with scientific evidence, and agribusiness stakeholders with sustainable solutions aimed at securing profitability while safeguarding public health.
The stakeholders’ meeting, which brought together experts across the agricultural value chain, underscored the urgent need for data-driven farming practices, responsible veterinary care, and collaborative efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s livestock and aquaculture sector.
Source: Independent News
