Poultry farmers lament high cost of eggs’ production
By Peter Usman://
Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria, PFAN in Kwara State has raised the alarm that the high cost of eggs production, particularly the raising of chicken has discouraged lot of poultry farmers from being in the business.
The farmers have therefore called on Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq to assist the association by ensuring reduction in prices of poultry feed with a view to ensuring that the proteinous food is available for every family irrespective of their status in the society.
Speaking at an event to mark the World Egg Day and the 20th anniversary of the global event, the state chairman of PFAN, Mr. Ojo Akinwumi Richard lamented that poultry famers are presently running at loss.
He, therefore, appealed to the federal government to allow importation of poultry feeds into the country, noting that Nigerian farmers cannot produce enough grains to meet poultry feeds production.
The chairman, however, assured at this year’s event, tagged: “Eat your egg today and every day” that the association would continue to do her best in making eggs available for Nigerians.
Delivering a lecture on the nutrition benefits of eggs to human beings, the guest lecturer, Dr. Eunice Foluke Sola-Ojo advised people from age 0 to 40 years to take three eggs per day while older people should take at least one egg per day because of the nutritional value.
Sola-Ojo said: “Egg is highly nutritious with about 13 vitamins, except Vitamin C. It has Omega 3 Fatty Acids and all the essential Amino Acids. Eggs are good for growing children and they can afford three eggs per day, while an egg per day is good for an adult.”
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Livestock, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture, Mohammed Umar Hammed assured the poultry farmers of government’s support in making grains available at cheaper rate by next year
Commenting on the level at which people now deviate from poultry farming following the high cost of feed, the director appealed to members of the association to go back to business, promising that the government would continue to support them.