The survival of poultry business and the huge potential the industry holds for the nation’s economy, especially at this period of economic downturns, would form the focus of this year’s National Poultry Show, Abeokuta 2016, an annual industry event, being organised by the Poultry Association of Nigeria, aimed at showcasing businesses within the poultry value chain.
Tagged “Sustaining the Poultry Industry in an Economic Recession”, the forum, according to the National President of the Association, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan is organised annually as part of the activities on the Poultry Industry Calendar, which usually commences with a summit at the start of the year before the Poultry Show.
According to him, the Show is being organised for all businesses within the Poultry Value Chain, including Poultry Farmers, Feed Millers, Egg and Chicken Sellers, financial and governmental organizations and those involved in transportation within the poultry value chain, with exhibitors expected from Nigeria, Netherlands, China, India, Israel, Spain and England.
Dr. Oduntan also harped on the need for government to give poultry business the much-needed support, considering the huge employment opportunities, lying within the Poultry value chain.
He argued that one of the ways of providing such support is through the eradication of imported poultry products in Nigeria.
“I believe if we are able to put an end to indiscriminate importation of poultry products in the country, we will be able to generate hundreds of billions of Naira for the economy in revenue and increase employment to almost 1million jobs within two years.
“Though the government is trying in terms of support but we need more,” he added.
He also queried the rationale behind exportation of critical raw materials, stating that while government encourages farm production of these raw materials, it should ensure satisfaction of the local manufacturers’ usage before exporting such to other countries.
Dr. Oduntan however expressed the hope that stakeholders would actively participate at this year’s show.