Indications are that the Federal Government may ban the sales and consumption of Ponmo to increase leather products.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina who disclosed this on tuesday called for competent regulations that would check the consumption and sale of the product.
Dr. Akinwunmi noted that livestock farmers would stand good chances of making high dollar return if the hides and skins (Ponmo) are tanned into leather.
The minister who was represented at the occasion by the Director, Animal Production and Husbandry in the Ministry, Dr. Ademola Raji, 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.”