PAN urges govt to introduce egg in school, prison feeding program, others

Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has called on government at various levels to introduce an egg per child in its school feeding program and other social intervention programs.

PAN said this request became necessary following the constant growth recorded in the poultry industry recently.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on the outcome of their National Executive Committee(NEC) meeting, the National President of PAN, Ezekiel Ibrahim said it was observed that there was a huge investment in the poultry industry, hence the need to partner government to incorporate egg in its various feeding programs became necessary.

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According to him “the NEC appreciates the Federal and State Government on the various policies adopted to strengthen the poultry industry. Such policies include the School Feeding Programme having an egg as part of the menu.

“That considering the importance of the poultry industry to the socio-economic development of the country in terms of Gross Domestic Product, employment generation, and food security, the stakeholders agreed to work together for the progress and unity of the industry.

“NEC observed that there has been an increase in poultry investments in the country, and subsequently production has increased. Following this, PAN implores the Federal Government to incorporate Egg and Chicken into the School Feeding Programme of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Prison Services, Armed Forces and Police and support by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

While appreciating the Nigerian Customer Service (NCS) for their efforts in curtailing the activities of smugglers of frozen poultry products, the farmers also commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for their intervention funds at a single-digit interest rate, which was extended to agriculture.

“NEC also appreciates the efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in curtailing the activities of smugglers of frozen poultry products and urges the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to intensify the anti-smuggling activities across the borders in the country.

“NEC commends the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the various Intervention funds at a single digit interest rate extended to Agriculture.

“However, PAN noted that the medium and small scale poultry farmers are yet to enjoy the same. NEC implores the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to consider this category of poultry farmers”.

“NEC implores the Government through the Joint Tax Board to eliminate all kinds of multiple taxation and VAT on poultry raw materials and products since they are food.

“NEC assures the Federal Government that the poultry industry will continue to grow the economy for national food security and self-sufficiency in line with the objectives of the Government under President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR”, Ibrahim added.

The NEC meeting comprised of the National Officers of the Association, State Chairmen, Major Stakeholders and other categories of farmers.