By Ogaga Ariemu
Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria (PAN) says it has lost over five billion Naira and more than 127 poultry farms, shut down due to the economic hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal.
Musa Hakeem, the Secretary of PAN, Federal Capital Territory Chapter, disclosed this weekend while speaking with journalists during the World Egg Day celebration in Abuja.
He noted that other factors contributed to the loss, including forex and a ban on importing maize and soybeans.
Hakeem listed other challenges bedevilling the industry as the high rate of diseases, lack of access to credit facilities, high feed cost and poor quality chicks.
“We call on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to carry PAN along in the ministry’s ‘Home Grown School Feeding programme in the area of egg supply.
”This collaboration will create wealth and employment along the supply chain, “he said.
“World Egg Day is an opportunity to make everyone aware that eggs are excellent, cheapest sources of high-quality nutrients.
“Egg has socio-economic roles which include means of livelihood, achieving a certain level of economic independence, meeting human needs for dietary animal protein supply.
“It also enhanced investment and security against risks for small-scale poultry farmers”.
