poultry feed production, farmers solicits maize import wavier

THE Kwara State branch of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), has appealed to the Federal Government to allow importation of grains, especially maize, to meet poultry feeds production.

Speaking at an event marking World Egg Day and the 25th anniversary of the global event, the state chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Ojo Akinwumi Richard, said that

Nigerian farmers cannot produce enough grains to meet poultry feed production due to insecurities and weather challenges in the country.

Akinwumi, noted that the Federal Government should try as much as possible to do something about allowing the importation of maize so that the production feeds can be in abundance. He stated further that doing this would also have positive effect on the production of poultry products such as chicken and turkey even just as the yuletide season is fast approaching.

The poultry farmers also called on governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq, to assist the association by ensuring reduction in price of poultry feed, noting that high cost of production of raising chicken has discouraged lot of poultry farmers from the business.

While noting that the association would continue to do her best possible in making eggs available for Nigerians, said poultry famers are presently running at loss.

This year’s event is tagged: “Eat your Egg today and everyday”.

Delivering a lecture on the nutrition benefit of egg to human beings, the guest lecturer, Dr. Eunice Foluke Shola-Ojo, advised people from age 0 to 40 years to take three eggs per day while older people should take at least one egg per day because of the nutrition value.

Mrs. Shola-Ojo said that “Egg is highly nutritious with about 13 Vitamins, except Vitamin C. It has Omega 3 Fatty Acids and all the essential Amino Acid. Egg is good for growing children and they can afford three eggs per day, while an egg per day is good for an adult”.

Speaking at the event, the Director, Livestock, Kwara state ministry of Agriculture, Mohammed Umar Hammed, assured poultry farmers of government’s support in making grains available at cheaper rate by next year.

While speaking on the level at which people now deviate from poultry farming following high cost of feed, the director appealed to members of the association to go back to business, promising that government would continue to support them.

source tribuneonlineng.com