The government in Oyo State, Southwestern, Nigeria, has begun the distribution of over 16,000 bags of grains (maize) to poultry farmers across the state under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery, SAfER.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, disclosed that the grains were being distributed to 1691 farmers “to cushion the hardship induced by the removal of fuel subsidy and increase in the pump price of petrol.”
Unveiling the distribution of the grains at the Ibadan South West Local Government Area premises, Olaleye, who is also a member of the Oyo State SAfER committee, hinted that “free maize grains distribution to poultry farmers in the state would go a long way in alleviating the problem of high cost of poultry feeds and non-availability of maize input in the poultry business.”
He explained that the beneficiaries were selected from the 33 local government areas in the state, saying “that was part of government’s effort at bringing down the cost of poultry product, ensure poultry farmers remain in business and for Oyo state to maintain its first position in poultry business.”
While admonishing the beneficiaries to make good use of the intervention input, the commissioner explained that each beneficiary would go home with 8 bags of 50kg maize grains, while a total of 1691 poultry farmers would benefit from the first phase that would run through the weeks.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Ibadan North West Local Government Area, Rahman Adepoju, commended the government for being compassionate on the people of the state, most especially during the hard period presently facing the country.
He, therefore, enjoined the beneficiaries (poultry farmers) to ensure that the free grains would have a positive effect on poultry business in the state and the country at large.
Speaking on behalf of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, Oyo State Chapter, Mr Wole Olulade expressed the association’s gratitude to the state government, noting that “the high cost of poultry inputs had made many poultry farmers quit the business, and that the gesture would go a long way in sustaining people in the poultry business.”
Also the Chairman, Turkey Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Akinwumi Akinwande Ilori, and Mrs Mojisola Opeyemi, a poultry farmer, pledged to make good use of the grains as the gesture would encourage poultry farmers continue in the business and reduce hardship faced by farmers in the state.
Shakirat Sadiq
