By Justus Adetomiwa
The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has commended the Ondo State Government for its ongoing Adiye Irorun poultry empowerment scheme, describing it as a timely intervention that will boost youth employment, strengthen food production and stimulate the state’s economy.
Speaking in separate interviews with The Hope, South-West Chairman/National Vice President of the association, Rev. Gideon Oluleye and the Ondo State Chairman, Mr Olawande Fadipe, praised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for what they called a laudable and well-conceived programme.
Oluleye described the scheme as a professional, short-cycle poultry production model capable of delivering quick returns and sustainable income for participants.
“This is short-cycle broiler production. What we mean by short-cycle broiler production is that these broilers will mature in the next five to six weeks. The off-taker is already in place, and this is a professional programme in poultry production that brings quick returns,” he remarked.
He explained that the system provides farmers with chicks, feed and vaccines, while an off-taker arrangement guarantees a market for the birds at maturity.
Oluleye emphasised that the programme will have a multiplier effect on the state’s economy, stimulating transactions across the poultry value chain — feed millers, drug suppliers, transporters, off-takers and retailers.
“When the beneficiaries make profit, they also pay their taxes. Government revenue increases, financial activity in the state improves and the programme will catalyse the economy through continuous buying and selling,” he said.
Both PAN leaders noted the rising cost of poultry inputs nationwide, including day-old chicks and feed, but commended farmers for remaining committed ahead of the Yuletide season, which is traditionally the peak period for poultry sales.
“Despite high costs, farmers are still raising birds, so people can have chicken during Christmas,” Fadipe said.
Oluleye added that the festive season will witness high poultry demand, stressing that many farmers nationwide have already begun stocking birds for December sales.
Mr Olawande Fadipe noted that the initiative, which targets unemployed youths and vulnerable women across the three senatorial districts, arrived at a time when the poultry sector and the state’s economy needed it most.
“I want to thank our Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for this initiative. It comes at a time when it is most needed.
“This is a programme for the youth, mainly unemployed youths and graduates who are not working. Instead of them being idle, this programme engages them productively and also enhances the state’s economy.”
He added that the programme is expected to provide affordable chicken products for residents, especially during the festive season, as the birds mature within six to eight weeks.
“By the time they do it, in six to eight weeks the birds will be ready, and our people in Ondo State will start seeing Adiye Irorun in the market as we approach Christmas.”
While appreciating the governor for previous interventions, Fadipe appealed for additional support to further reduce production costs and make poultry products more affordable for residents.
“We once approached him, saying, ‘Mr Governor, this is what we need; poultry feed is costly and it is getting higher every day’, and immediately, Mr Governor released tonnes of maize for us — grains to produce feed for our chickens. And immediately, the price of a crate of eggs dropped from ₦3,500 to ₦3,000. So, we thank him, and we are still pleading for more assistance, so that our cost of production can be reduced to the barest minimum and our people will be able to afford our products.”