FARMING
Abia Poultry Farmers Unite To Tackle Sector Challenges
Poultry farmers in Abia State have resolved to strengthen unity and information-sharing as a strategy to overcome the mounting challenges facing the sector.
This was the focus of a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Aba Road, Umuahia.
The meeting, which brought together poultry farm owners and industry players from Abia Central and Abia North Senatorial Zones, was convened by Innocent Amaegbe, with Ikechukwu Agbakuru serving as technical adviser, Sir Uzomba Ekwuribe as media adviser, and Adio Abayomi as secretary.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Chris Obasi, Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Abia State chapter, reflected on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on poultry businesses. He noted that several farmers were unable to withstand the economic disruptions caused by the outbreak, but expressed optimism that shared experiences and collective strategies would strengthen the industry.
“The essence of this meeting is to sit down and look at the challenges we face as farmers, and find ways to solve them ourselves. We know our problems better than outsiders, and together we can improve our practices, share experiences, and seek support from the right places,” Obasi said. He emphasized that unity remains a critical tool for achieving resilience, as farmers not only learn from one another but also find encouragement when challenges are shared.
In his remarks, media adviser Sir Uzomba Ekwuribe pledged continued support to ensure PAN remains strong while fostering closer ties between old and new members.
The meeting also reviewed past interventions, including efforts to curb illegal levies and extortion of poultry farmers. Participants underscored the importance of unrestricted information flow, urging members to extend membership drives to strengthen the association.
PAN, which represents stakeholders across the poultry value chain including feed millers, hatcheries, breeders, processors, and marketers, is recognized as the umbrella body for poultry farmers in Nigeria. The association was notably acknowledged during the federal government’s Anchor Borrowers Programme, where it played a role in mobilizing poultry farmers to access credit facilities.
The meeting highlights the continued struggles of Nigeria’s poultry sector, which remains a critical part of the nation’s food security and economy. With poultry farming serving as a major source of protein and livelihood for thousands of families, Abia farmers’ resolve to strengthen PAN could contribute to shaping policies, improving practices, and ensuring resilience in the face of economic uncertainties.
Stakeholders at the Umuahia meeting agreed that increased collaboration and communication would position the industry to attract greater institutional support and withstand economic shocks
The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and empowerment of youths who participated in the Agricultural Training Programme in Osun State, dismissing insinuations in some quarters that the beneficiaries have been abandoned.
The Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, FCIB, gave the clarification while reacting to reports circulating on social media regarding the status of the trainees.
Dr. Agbaeze stated that the initiative was conceived by the administration of Alex Otti as part of its broader strategy to equip Abia youths with practical Agricultural and entrepreneurial skills capable of promoting food security, self-reliance, job creation, and economic growth.
According to the Commissioner, the State Government is currently putting in place the necessary framework to ensure that the beneficiaries are effectively integrated into the administration’s ongoing agricultural and youth empowerment programmes in a sustainable and impactful manner.
He recalled that in 2024, the State Government trained over 300 Abia youths at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State and subsequently supported them with empowerment packages of up to N2.3 million each to establish agricultural enterprises. He noted that many of the beneficiaries are presently thriving in their various Agricultural ventures.
The Commissioner further disclosed that under the LIFE-ND Programme, the State Government has trained and empowered more than 4,000 youth incubatees across different Agricultural value chains. He added that barely three weeks ago, another batch of 276 youth incubatees graduated and received initial working capital support of about N500,000 each.
Dr. Agbaeze emphasized that the empowerment of the 28 youths trained in Osun remains part of the government’s overall Agricultural development and youth empowerment agenda, stressing that the administration is committed to integrating them into a more structured and sustainable framework rather than handling the initiative in isolation.
He noted that some of the affected trainees had personally reached out to him, either through visits or phone calls, to seek clarification on the matter, adding that they were duly assured that the government has not abandoned them and remains committed to addressing their concerns.
While appealing to the beneficiaries to remain patient as the necessary processes are being concluded, the Commissioner cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of political propaganda by desperate and unscrupulous elements.
Dr. Agbaeze reiterated that the administration of Governor Alex Otti remains resolute in fulfilling its promises to the people of Abia State, particularly in the area of youth empowerment and Agricultural transformation.
Signed:
Oluchi Franklin-Oji
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Agriculture
Abia State
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