By Roseline Okahkah

 The Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN, has commended the Ondo State Government for the distribution of maize to its members as palliative across the state.

The farmers gave the commendation during their meeting held at the Ondo State Agribusiness Centre (OSAEC) in Akure.

Speaking with The Hope in separate interviews, the farmers who were drawn from the three senatorial districts said the gesture assisted in ameliorating the rise in the cost of feeds for their birds occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.

They expressed their gratitude to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the SSA to the Governor on Agric and Agribusiness Matters, Pastor Akin Olotu and the palliative committee for the initiative and for having the interest of the poultry farmers at heart.

The Southwest Chairman of PAN, Revd. Oluleye Olugbeja said the meeting was held to review the palliatives distributed to farmers.

Oluleye, who noted that the maize palliative was distributed to all poultry farmers in their different zones, said the gesture helped to ease the cost of production in their farms.

“It helped in reducing the cost of feeds because when the maize was used to produce feeds, some farmers got 20 tonnes and that is a lot when you look at the price of finished feeds in the market.”

On his part, the State Chairman of PAN, Mr. Fadipe Olawande said the palliative has helped to salvage their situation.

In his words, “The scarcity of maize, the cost of feeds and the price of poultry products are some of the challenges we are facing.”

The State Vice Chairman and Zonal Chairman of Okitipupa zone, Victor Olumide who expressed his satisfaction, described the palliative as a big relief for the farmers which will boost their profit potentials.

“Most of the farmers are already fed up with the business due to high cost of running it but the palliative came as a motivation for them. The palliative has a positive effect on the economy.”

Olumide joined other farmers to plead for more intervention programmes like provision of tricycles for easy transportation of their products to the market, provision of drugs at a subsidized rate and more feeds.