Recession strangulating poultry industry, poultry farmers cry out

POULTRY farmers in the country have decried that recession has foisted great challenges upon production and marketing of its products that tilt towards strangulating the poultry industry.

The farmers at the Oyo State 2017 Poultry Workshop, with the theme, “Sustaining Poultry Production in a Recessed Economy”, held in Ibadan, said the situation translated into increasing abysmal returns for poultry farmers.

Managing Director, Rostal Resources Limited, Mr Taiwo Adeoye, who was main speaker, said due to recession, poultry farmers grappled with skyrocketing cost of inputs, adulteration of raw materials, incessant egg glut, poor pricing of eggs, outbreak of poultry diseases as well as inconsistent government policies.

According to him, the telling effects of the situation was closure of farms, downsizing of production, high cost of products like maize and soybeans.

Registrar, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), Professor Eustace Iyayi, in his own speech, bemoaned that poultry farmers could also not compete locally because products were still smuggled in, despite import prohibition of poultry products.

Iyayi who spoke on, “ Regulatory Issues as it affects Poultry Production”, prayed that government grants poultry farmers some subsidy for them to expand production of inputs and meet local needs.

Furthermore, Iyayi urged the federal government to grant local poultry farmers waivers and leverages for them to be able to produce and export standardized products.

Speaking, Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Oyo State, Mr Banjo Akanji, also lamented the the hike in price and scarcity of raw materials especially maize.

He chided erroneous notions about the consumption of eggs, while also decrying that the existence of unhealthy eggs in the market, stemming from poor production processes.

In his remarks, Chairman, Animal Science Association of Nigeria, Oyo state (ASAN), Dr Olugbenga Ogunwole, called for collaboration between farmers, government, professionals in resolving the problems of the poultry industry.

Such collaboration, Ogunwole noted, would enhance the wellbeing of Nigerians in the provision of wholesome quality protein.

Earlier in his address, President, NIAS, Professor Folorunso Adu charged poultry farmers to adopt efficient production strategies and technology to survive current challenging times.

He avowed optimism that with the profession of the federal government that the nation was already exiting recession, the nation’s poultry industry would come out stronger.

Other speakers who advanced positions for the sustenance of the poultry industry included, National President, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Dr Ayoola Oduntan; Director, Pollution Unit, Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mrs Modupe Adeleye; and, Managing Director, Milky Way Agrovet Services, Dr Ibraheem Akande.