The Oyo state government has revealed its plans to distribute about 11,000 bags of poultry feed to 1,691 poultry farmers in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, revealed this while declaring the World Egg Day open in the state capital.
He added that 1,691 fish farmers; 2537 crops farmers and 2539 cattle, sheep and goat farmers would also benefit, being the first phase of the programme.
However, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, quotes Olasunkanmi as saying that the gesture would enhance and promote food security in the state.
Olasunkanmi maintained that efforts of poultry farmers in food security cannot be underestimated, hence the state government’s vested interest in regulating the poultry business in the state, as would help the Ministry have accurate data on poultry farmers and ensure quality production for public consumption.
Olasunkanmi explained that 11,000 bags of feeds had been set aside for poultry farmers, saying accurate data could only help the Ministry to extend the government’s good gesture to the poultry sector and that monitoring their activities was necessary due to regular loss recorded in the sector, especially during the period of high cost of feeds.
He said: “Part of the areas which we are much concerned about is feeding. We will monitor feed production that is to be given to birds, to enhance poultry farmers’ profitability, and to ensure resilient day-old chicks, as well as enhance standardization of poultry products processing in the state.”
The Commissioner, therefore, called on the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) to complement the government’s efforts in enhancing food security in the state, bearing in mind that the government cannot do everything.
The Chairman of, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Oyo State branch, Omidokun Oyekunle, in his remarks, said the World Egg Day is celebrated worldwide every 13th of October, to encourage people on the need to eat eggs daily.
He said an egg is a complete food that contains proteins, vitamins and minerals, as well as fatty acids needed in the body, stressing that the poultry business had assisted the Oyo State Government in eradicating poverty, through the creation of job opportunities for the people.
Oyekunle acknowledged that the Oyo State PAN had enjoyed a good relationship with the present government compared to former administrations in the state, and assured of its readiness to work with the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to curb quackery in the poultry business.
The team, alongside the staff of the Ministry, donated eggs to pupils of IMG Primary School, Total Garden, Ibadan.
There was a public display of foods that could be made from eggs, at the Iwo-road Interchange, in the state capital, as part of events set aside to celebrate this year’s World Egg Day.
