The Managing Director, Dauda Mafala and Sons Poultry Farm at Rapomol, has decried the death of over 3,600 birds resulting from a devastating windstorm that hit the farm. , killing over 3,600 birds.
The farm which is situated at Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the State, had the capacity to house 60,000 birds.
Speaking with newsmen who visited the farm on Saturday, Mafala said that the windstorm also destroyed an automated cage worth $80,000.
He said: “At about 3.30pm on Saturday, a windstorm destroyed so many structures in this farm.
“It particularly destroyed a chicken shade housing 10,800 laying birds.
“As we speak, we have lost 3,600 birds already and, as you can see, we are still evacuating them.
“So, the number may increase by the time we are done.
“It has also completely destroyed a fully automated chicken cage that cost us $80,000 to import in 2013.
“This machine has the egg packing system, feeding system and the manure recovery system.”
Mafala further explained that aside from the automated cage, the total damage recorded from the calamity was over N250 million.
In a reaction, the Spokesperson for the Plateau State Chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Nanji Gambo, described the incident as ”unfortunate”.
Gambo also said it was a huge loss to the poultry industry in the state.
She called on the State Government to come to the aid of the farm proprietor.
She further expressed the need for the government’s deliberate support for the poultry industry in the state in general.
According to her, the poultry industry is one of the largest employers of labour in the country.
Gambo said: “Already, the poultry industry is facing a series of challenges due to the current economic hardship in the country.
“The removal of subsidies is really telling on poultry farmers.
“There is the high cost of feed materials, poor market for eggs and other poultry products, among other challenges.
“Last year, for instance, a lot of our farmers were affected by floods that ravaged some communities in the state and no assistance came their way.
“So, we call on the government to support this farmer and other farmers affected by similar situations to revive their businesses.
“That way, they will bounce back to business and contribute to the growth of the economy of the state.”
Gambo particularly called on the Plateau State Government to use part of the N5 billion Federal Government’s palliative to revive the ailing poultry industry in the state.