Poultry Association Commends FG’s support, seeks further interventions
By Adewale Owoade
The National President of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Mr Sunday Ezeobiora, has commended the Federal Government for the creation of a ministry to support livestock businesses.
Ezeobiora who gave the commendation at a stakeholder’s meeting in Ibadan, said members of the association were in need of interventions like grants and loans to restore the industry to normalcy.
He said further assistance by government would bring back farmers who have lost their means of livelihoods to fluctuations in the economy and high inflation rates the.
“We thank government for zero import duty on maize and soya beans, that is very encouraging, we appreciate government for doing that.
“And we thank government for the new ministry they created, the Ministry of Livestock Development.
“The poultry industry has contributed 25 per cent GDP on livestock, so for that reason, whatever committee the government will be creating, poultry industry should be part of the decision making in this committee.
“We need further interventions. Government should give poultry association grant, or loan at five per cent interest or less, so that we would be able to repay easily.”
Also, the National Public Relations Officer of the association, Mr Godwin Egbede, said the poultry association in Nigeria had the capacity to produce chicken and eggs for the nation with the support of government.
“We have the capacity to produce chicken and eggs for the nation if the government can support us.
“So, we are craving the indulgence of the government to give us maize as they use to do.
“We heard that maize are given to state governors and those state governors are not giving us the maize, you can not give non farmers maize and expect us to be buying from them at higher cost.”
Also, Rev Gideon Oluleye, the PAN Chairman, South West, identified insecurity as a major factor that had contributed to the reduction in production of maize and urged the federal government to take proactive actions to prevent the industry from collapse.
The Secretary General of the Association, Oludayo Obasanjo said high cost of farm inputs had contributed to high food cost in the country and pleaded with government to subsidised farm inputs for farmers.
Present at the stakeholders meeting include the Director General of the Association, Onallo Akpa, Mr Willie Edeh, the National Vice President (South South), and Usman Usman Kitiya, the National Vice President (North West) among others. (NAN)
