By Abimbola Joseph
CITIZENS COMPASS —Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Ikorodu branch, in Lagos State, has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to intensify the fight against insecurity and reduce the cost of poultry feed in the country.
The Chairman of the Association, Mr Olaoye Ayodeji yesterday, made the appeal during the association’s sensitisation programme to mark the year 2024 at Ikorodu Local Council Secretariat, Ikorodu, Lagos.
Ayodeji said that insecurity contributed to the high cost of doing poultry farming and poultry feeds in the country.
“We appeal to the FG to tackle the insecurity situation in the country for more people to engage in agriculture.
“Insecurity is a major cause of high cost of feeds because farmers no longer cultivate the farms as they always run for safety.
“Maize, which is the major component of birds feed, mostly planted in the north, is no longer available in the market due to insecurity,” he said.
Ayodeji urged the government to also subsidise animal feeds saying that most of their members had disengaged from the business as a result of high cost of feeds and interest rate from the bank.
He enjoined the members to be abreast of modern farming techniques and new ways of tackling biosecurity which he said had been a major challenge faced by poultry farm owners in the country.
The PAN chairman said their plan in the new year was to partner with government at all levels in revamping poultry business in the country
Responding, the Chairman of Ikorodu Local Council, Mr Wsiu Adesina promised to partner with the association in ensuring smooth poultry business and production of more foods in the area.
Adesina said the council would also invest in the agric sector to generate more employment for the teeming youths in the community.
He said his administration promised to sponsor no fewer than 50 youths on foreign training in agricultural programmes in different countries as part of its commitment to prioritise the sector.
“It is very important to partner the poultry farmers to ease means of doing business and productivity.
“Agriculture is a very important sector in any country, without agriculture no country of the world can survive.
“On our part, my administration will sponsor some youths on foreign training in agric who in turn will train others for more participation and self-reliance,” Adesina said.
Earlier, Mrs Adejoke Adeyanju, a member of the association appreciated the executives for updating them with the latest information on agric business.
He also thanked the council for a robust partnership aimed at improving the sector.
Citizens Compass reports that the chairman was conferred an award by the association in recognition towards his contribution to developing poultry industry in Ikorodu
