The National President of The Poultry Association of Nigeria, (PAN), Chief Sunday Ezeobiora has pleaded with the federal government to rescue the industry from imminent collapse.
He further revealed that the poultry industry needs further intervention in the form of grants and loan in order to restore it to normalcy and bring back farmers who have lost their means of livelihood as a result of fluctuating economy and inflation.
He added that insecurity, high cost of basic raw materials like maize and soya beans, and inadequate mechanized farm inputs have hampered the operation of the industry in recent times.
The PAN President stated this while addressing journalists at the stakeholder’s meeting at the Kakanfo Inn and Conference centre, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state on Tuesday.
He further added, “Another worrying issue affecting the industry is the issue of petroleum price deregulation, floatation of the naira. Although the implications cut across all sectors of the economy, it has affected production and marketing of the products of the industry. All we have witnessed in all these have been increased high cost of production and a dwindling purchasing power of the people to buy poultry and poultry products”.
Chief Sunday Ezeobiora, however, commended the federal government for the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development to address the issue of farmers and herders conflicts while revealing that the association will come up robust contributions and inputs that will reposition the industry for a better performance.
Adding, the National PRO, Godwin Egbede stated that poultry association in Nigeria has the capacity to produce chicken, eggs for the nation while urging that the government at all levels to support the poultry industry with funds and subsidized maize.
He further chided some states governors for hoarding maize while revealing that an average Nigerian cannot afford to purchase egg in recent times.
Speaking further, Rev Gideon Oluleye, the PAN Chairman, South West highlighted that high level of insecurity is a major factor that has contributed to the reduced production of maize within the economy while urging the federal government to take proactive action in order for the industry not to collapse.
He added that conflicts between farmers and herders have contributed to shortage of maize in the country while revealing that the industry is the second largest employer of labour in the country.
Present at the stakeholders meeting included the Director General of the Association, Onallo Akpa, Engr. Willie Edeh, the National Vice President (South South), Usman Usman Kitiya, the National Vice President (North West) among others.
Packaged by Dare Raji
