The Oyo State Government has revealed its plans to distribute about 11,000 bags of poultry feed to 1,691 poultry farmers in the state, as part of its continued efforts to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, revealed this while declaring open the World Egg Day in Ibadan, the state capital of Oyo State, Southwestern, Nigeria.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, quotes Olasunkanmi as saying that the gesture would enhance and promote food security in the state.
Olasunkanmi explained that apart from the 1,691 poultry farmers that would be given poultry feed; 1,691 fish farmers, 2537 crops farmers and 2539 cattle, sheep and goat farmers would also benefit, being the first phase of the programme.
He maintained that efforts of poultry farmers in food security cannot be underestimated, hence the Oyo State Government’s vested interest to regulate the poultry business in the state, as such would help the Ministry have accurate data of poultry farmers in the state and to ensure quality production for public consumption.
Olasunkanmi explained that 11,000 bags of feeds had been set aside for poultry farmers, saying accurate data could only help the Ministry to extend government’s good gesture to the poultry sector, and that monitoring their activities was necessary due to regular loss recorded in the sector, especially during the period of high cost of feeds.
He said: “Part of areas which we are much concerned about is feeding. We will monitor feeds production that are to be given to birds, so as to enhance poultry farmers’ profitability, and to ensure resilient day old chicks, as well as enhance standardisation of poultry products processing in the state.”
The Commissioner, therefore, called on the Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, to complement the government’s efforts in enhancing food security in the state, having in mind that the government can not do everything.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, Oyo State branch, Omidokun Oyekunle, stated that the World Egg Day is celebrated worldwide every 13th of October, to encourage people on the need to eat egg daily.
He said an egg is a complete food that contains proteins, vitamins and minerals, as well as fatty acids needed in the body, stressing that poultry business had assisted the Oyo State Government in eradicating poverty, through creation of job opportunities to the people.
Oyekunle acknowledged that the Oyo State PAN had enjoyed good relationship with the present government compared to former administrations in the state, and assured of its readiness to work with government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to curb quackery in the poultry business.
The team, alongside the staff of the Ministry, donated eggs to pupils of IMG Primary School and Total Garden, Ibadan.
There was a public display of foods that could be made from egg, at the Iwo-road Interchange, in the state capital, as part of events set aside to celebrate this year’s World Egg Day.
Shakirat Sadiq
