The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has appealed to the federal government to address what it describes as a looming crisis in the poultry industry.
Chief Sunday Ezeobiora, National President of PAN, made this call during a stakeholders meeting in Ibadan, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention through grants and loans to restore the industry and support farmers who have been adversely affected by economic fluctuations and inflation.
Ezeobiora highlighted several critical issues impacting the industry, including insecurity, the high cost of essential raw materials such as maize and soya beans, and inadequate mechanized farm inputs. He also noted that petroleum price deregulation and the floatation of the naira have exacerbated production costs and reduced consumer purchasing power for poultry products.
Despite these challenges, Ezeobiora commended the Federal Government for establishing the Ministry of Livestock Development, which aims to address farmer-herder conflicts. He assured that the association would provide constructive input to help reposition the industry for improved performance.
National Public Relations Officer of PAN, Mr. Godwin Egbede, reiterated the association’s capability to meet the country’s demand for chicken and eggs, urging government support in the form of financial aid and subsidized maize.
Rev. Gideon Oluleye, South West PAN Chairman, underscored the severe impact of insecurity on maize production, calling for proactive government measures to prevent the industry’s collapse. He noted that conflicts between farmers and herders have significantly contributed to maize shortages and highlighted that the poultry industry is the second-largest employer of labor in Nigeria.
