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 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, said 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.
