Ekiti State Government on Thursday distributed 10,000 50kg of maize across the state, the third of its kind to boost the production of livestock farmers.
Speaking while distributing the grains to the benefiting Farmers’ associations; the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade explained that the palliative measure was in recognition of the need to rejuvenate Livestock farms with a focus on food security, the creation of employment opportunities and the production of protein amongst others.
He noted that “free maize grains distribution to poultry farmers in the State would go a long way in alleviating the problem of the high cost of poultry feeds and availability of maize input in the poultry business. A lot of poultry farms were winding down due to the burden of the high cost of feed leading to serious concerns on food security, production of protein and job security amongst others.
“Governor Biodun Oyebanji approved the distribution of the grains to revitalize livestock production to boost food security, save jobs and help sustain protein production”.
The Commissioner who also doubles as the Chairman of the State Special Committee on palliatives, warned against diversion of the grains, stressing that selling or any other form of diversion of the grains would be inimical to the purpose of the scheme.
He said that the bags have been stamped “Not to be Sold” stressing anybody caught attempting to sell it would be sanctioned.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun described the intervention as strategic, adding that it was part of the Government’s effort to make farming attractive, particularly to the youths and help farmers thrive.
Reiterating the commitment of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to the development of the State and the general well-being of its residents, Olatunbosun assured that the rejuvenation of agriculture in the State is well-planned as encapsulated in the Agriculture and Rural Development pillar of the administration and would be judiciously implemented.
He solicited the continued support of all stakeholders for efforts to make life more meaningful for all strata of society, stressing the need to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Government to improve their lot as well as use the government’s largess judiciously to achieve the desired impact.
In his response, the Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Oluwasetemi Alonge expressed gratitude to the state government for the gesture, describing it as timely as inflation had eroded the working capital of the farmers which led to the almost collapse of their businesses.
Alonge noted that maize makes up about 70 per cent of the feed for their livestock, adding that the free distribution would therefore effectively reduce the burden of cost and improve their profit.
Also responding, the Chairman of the State Chapter of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Adebola Adeniran pledged on behalf of all beneficiaries to make judicious use of the free grains.
He noted that the high cost of inputs has made many farmers quit the business, adding that the gesture would go a long way in sustaining people in the Livestock business.
The 10,000 bags of maize were distributed through various associations to poultry, piggery, goats and fishery farmers amongst others.
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