As part of measures to revive the poultry industry, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Wednesday, called for continuous federal government support through grain intervention in 2024.
The chairman of PAN in Lagos, Mojeed Iyiola, took time to commend the government’s support in the previous year while beseeching more support this year “The sector would only prosper with continuous government interventions at all levels”.
Mr Iyiola stated, “This year, we want the government at all levels to engage in more interventions in feed production for local farmers. We have problems in input procurement, most especially with maize and soya.
“We would like to thank the Lagos state government for their interventions last year concerning maize for feed milling. We also appeal to the federal government to fulfill its promise in the provision of substantial amounts of maize for poultry farmers.”
The PAN boss added, “We hope to start seeing the maize intervention from the federal government, which will start rolling in. We believe 2024 will be a profitable year for poultry farmers with these interventions.”
However, the PAN’s national publicity secretary, Godwin Egbebe, took his turn to speak as he called on the government to curtail the smuggling of local grains to neighboring countries.
Mr Egbede said the major problem with the poultry was the high price of grains.
“We want the government to put an end to the exportation/smuggling of our grains to neighboring countries like Togo, Ghana, and the Benin Republic. We hope all these will be corrected this year,” he explained. “We need to be self-sufficient locally before we start the exportation of our grains.”
“We need bailouts for the sector this year, and these bailouts must be strategic. We need to ensure they get to the right farmers. The government has been doing bailouts for the sector, but most times, it is not directed to the right people.
“The government should ensure the implementation of its bailouts is well carried out to reach the right farmers”.