Ban on importation of poultry products has increased productivity – farmers
Poultry farmers in Ilorin have
commended the Federal Government for banning importation of poultry
products, which has increased productivity and availability of
markets.
The farmers, who spoke in separate
interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Sunday
expressed their delight as demand for chicken and other poultry
products increased following the ban.
A poultry farmer, Mr Samuel Ishola,
whose farm is located in Olunlade, a suburb of Ilorin, told NAN that
he witnessed a rise in demand of broilers unlike few years back when
he resulted into begging people to buy.
Ishola said the government had done
well to encourage poultry farmers as the ban on importation of
chicken had forced a huge number of customers to patronise them.
“Since the ban on importation of
turkey, I now witness a huge crowd that is now interested in my
broilers everyday.
“We the poultry farmers benefit a lot
from that government policy as we feel encouraged and enjoy the way
our customers now settle for the domestic chicken instead of opting
for the imported,’’ he said.
Another farmer, Mr Leke Ayoola,
described the ban on imported chicken as a blessing as every poultry
farmer now had a market as demand increased for the livestock
product.
Ayoola said he was forced to increase
his poultry pen due to high patronage by the customers, adding that
he extended his poultry farm to meet up with customers’ demand.
“Before, I use to raise like 200 to
300 broilers but now am happy that I have like 400 to 500 broilers
inside my poultry pen and I have customers that always come for it.
“I sell to hotels, restaurants,
private individuals as they now prefer to buy the home- raised
boilers. They have come to appreciate freshness,’’ he said.
Another farmer, Alhaja Iyabo Ahmed in
Kangu area said most poultry farmers in the country were encouraged
to do more, as they commended the initiative of the government in
prohibiting importation of chicken.
“Though there are some financial
challenges but we still try to make things work for our customers,’’
she said.
Ahmed said the harsh weather was one of
the major challenges faced by farmers during the hot season because
the poultry birds did not adapt easily to heat.
She, however, called on the government
to encourage students, unemployed graduates at all levels on
agricultural practice.
Ahmed said that agriculture would
rescue Nigeria from recession.
Comments
Post a Comment