As part of efforts to cushion the effect of subsidy removal and enhance poultry business in the state, the Oyo State Government has commenced the distribution of over 16 thousand bags of maize grain to 1691 poultry farmers across the state under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) project.
Unveiling the distribution of the grains on Friday at Ibadan South West Local Government premises, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, revealed that the move was for food security under the SAfER programme to alleviate suffering arising from the subsidy removal of 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 grain distribution to poultry farmers in the state would go a long way in alleviating the problem of the high cost of poultry feeds and the availability of maize input in the poultry business.
Olasunkanmi equally explained that the beneficiaries of free maize distribution were selected from the 33 local governments in the state, stressing that this was part of the government’s effort to bring down the cost of poultry products, allow poultry farmers to remain in business, and allow Oyo State to maintain first place 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 50 kg of maize grains, and 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 of Oyo State for being compassionate to the people of the state, especially in this hard period facing the country, saying the first phase of palliative work done in the state could not be compared with other states.
He therefore enjoined the beneficiaries (poultry farmers) to ensure that the free grains would have an effect on the poultry business of the citizens of the state and the country at large.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Oyo State Chapter, Mr. Wole Olulade expressed the association’s gratitude to the state government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde for his magnanimity towards the poultry farmers and farmers at large in the state, noting that the high cost of poultry inputs has made many poultry farmers quite the business, adding that this good gesture would go a long way in sustaining people in the poultry business.
On behalf of the beneficiaries in the state, 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 as well as reduce hardship faced by the farmers in the state.
