Delta State Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has lauded Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its move to release grains from the nation’s strategic grain reserve to cushion the effect of flooding on farmers nationwide.
This may not be unconnected with the suffering from the negative effects of avian influenza that destroyed their birds last year.
The state chairman of PAN, high chief Alfred Mrakpor, who made the commendation in Asaba, state capital said the association should be considered a priority sub -ector for the release of maize.
He appealed to federal government to grant the association soft loans so as to alleviate their suffering, saying poultry farmers had lost millions as a result of avian influenza and flooding that have ravaged their flocks.
He said: “maize is a major component of chicken ration and allocating subsidized maize to poultry farmers, would reduce the cost of producing birds.
“We sincerely thank CBN and federal government for their initiative to release grains to farmers from the strategic reserve. We are happy that CBN acknowledged that farmers have lost crops valued at billions. We will appreciate this gesture if the CBN would release the grains as soon as possible while giving attention to poultry sub sector.”
The CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had said the release of some strategic grain reserves would combat the adverse effects of the recent flooding that destroyed several farms across the country.
