Ogun Pledges Support For Poultry Farmers

• Ogun, Poultry farmers

The Ogun State Government has promised its support to boost poultry farming, for the state to retain its pride of place as the largest producer of egg in Nigeria.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina, disclosed this while hosting the newly elected executive members of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), in his office, at Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta, Eko hot blog gathered.

Odedina who appreciated PAN for contributing to palliatives given to the vulnerable in the state during the COVID-19 lockdown described them as the most well-organised stakeholders in the poultry value-chain, promising that government would continue to strengthen the industry.

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He assured that more land and seedlings would be provided for interested farmers in a bid to provide maize and soya beans, which he noted were the major materials for poultry feeds.

“We have been meeting with stakeholders in poultry value-chain activities and we will continue to do the needful to strengthen the industry.

The state government is ready to revive all moribond poultry facilities across the state in order to replicate broiler projects in all the 20 Local Council Areas,” he said.

The Commissioner also disclosed the government’s readiness to empower rural women with 50 broilers each, while more opportunities would be opened to commercial poultry farmers.

He also assured that government would help the association to procure landed property and other facilities that would house its Secretariat, as well as sponsorship of their yearly poultry show.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of PAN, Ogun State Chapter, Engr. Idowu Asonuga, sought the intervention of the state towards the availability of maize and soya beans, saying the COVID-19 pandemic and ban on importation of maize have affected poultry and egg business across the country.

He also requested adequate data of stakeholders in agric value-chain which he said the association needs for planning and expansion of its activities.

Asonuga however, expressed hope as the Commissioner has allayed their fears and promised adequate support that would boost the association’s activities.