Oyo State government has commenced the distribution of over 16,000 bags of grains (maize) to poultry farmers across the state, under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER).
The state’s commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye said the grains were being distributed to 1691 farmers.
He said it would cushion the hardship induced by the removal of fuel subsidy and increase in the pump price of petrol.
Unveiling the distribution of the grains at Ibadan South West Local Government premises, Olaleye revealed that the move was for food security under SAfER programme to alleviate suffering arising from the subsidy removal on petrol (PMS) in the country.
The commissioner, who is also a member of Oyo State Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER), hinted that free maize grains distribution to poultry farmers in the state would go a long way in alleviating the problem of high cost of poultry feeds and availability of maize input in the poultry business.
Olasunkanmi equally explained that the beneficiaries were selected from the 33 local governments in the state, stressing that this was part of government’s effort in bringing down the cost of poultry products; ensure poultry farmers remain in business and for Oyo State to maintain its first position in poultry business.
Admonishing the beneficiaries to make good use of the intervention inputs, the commissioner explained that each beneficiary would go home with 8 bags of 50kg maize grains, while a total of 1691 poultry farmers would benefit from the first phase that would run through the weeks.
In his remarks, the chairman, Ibadan North West Local Government, Hon. Rahman Adepoju commended the government for being compassionate to the people of the state, most especially in this hard period facing the country.
He enjoined the beneficiaries (poultry farmers) to ensure the free grains have positive effects on poultry business in the state and the country at large.
Speaking on behalf of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Oyo State chapter, Mr. Wole Olulade expressed the association’s gratitude to the state government.
He noted that the high cost of poultry inputs have made many poultry farmers quit the business, adding that the gesture would go a long way in sustaining people in the poultry business.
Also the chairman, Turkey Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Akinwumi Akinwande Ilori and Mrs. Mojisola Opeyemi pledged to make use of the grains as this would encourage poultry farmers to continue in the business and reduce hardship faced by farmers in the state.
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