The Nigerian government through the Ministry of Livestock Development, has pledged the Federal Government’s support to revitalising the poultry sector and addressing the challenges hindering its growth.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar made the pledge during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), led by its Patron and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Asiwaju Olatunde Badmus.
Muktar highlighted the importance of immediate intervention and sustainable policies to strengthen the industry’s role in Nigeria’s economy and food security.
“The large-scale cultivation of maize, sorghum, and soy is imperative. Without these critical inputs, we cannot break free from the current challenges. Rest assured, progress is already underway,” Maiha stated, emphasising the ministry’s commitment to fostering partnerships for sustainable solutions.
In their presentation, the PAN delegation underscored the urgent need to enhance poultry productivity, urging the government to serve as the “buyer of last resort” for grains like maize and soya, which are essential for poultry feed production.
Such measures, they argued, would stabilise market prices and build reserves to bolster national food security.
The Association also advocated for a reduction in tariffs on imported micro-inputs and poultry production equipment, proposing a zero-duty policy to lower production costs and stimulate industry growth.
On import restrictions, PAN reaffirmed its support for sustaining policies that limit frozen poultry imports, stressing the importance of encouraging local production and attracting foreign investors to establish operations within Nigeria.
Speaking on financial challenges, the Association highlighted the high borrowing rates for agricultural production, with some farmers facing interest rates as high as 35 per cent. They called for the establishment of a dedicated Poultry Development Fund with single-digit interest rates to support farmers and drive industry growth.
PAN also urged the government to harmonise taxation policies to eliminate the burden of multiple levies on agricultural commodities, which inflate production costs and disproportionately affect small-scale farmers.
Additionally, the Association advocated for stringent quality control measures for poultry feeds and micro-ingredients to safeguard productivity and boost farmer confidence.
The Minister assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to addressing these concerns, reaffirming his resolve to work collaboratively with stakeholders to unlock the full potential of the poultry sector.
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