BY Favour Percy-Idubor, Benin
The National President of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Ichie Sunday Ezeobiora, has stated that the poultry value chain drives the agriculture commercialization sub-sector of the country’s economy and contributes to over 25 percent of the Livestock Agricultural Gross Domestic Product, making it a rare success story.
Mr. Ezebiora said this at the inaugural Delta State Poultry Summit organized by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Delta State Chapter, at the PTI Conference Center, Effurun, Delta State, on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The theme of the event, which was proudly supported by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), was “The Role of Government, NGOs, Private Sectors, and Research Institutions for the Sustainability of Small and Medium-Scale Poultry Industry, Food Security, Employment, and Self-Reliance in Delta State.”
Representing the Executive Director of PIND, Tunji Idowu, Market Systems Development (MSD) Advisor, Mr. Blessing Tuoyo spoke about PIND’s Market System Approach, which focuses on strengthening the support systems for poultry farmers, enhancing productivity, and promoting sustainable farming methods within the sector.
“Over the past five years, PIND, in collaboration with its partners, built the capacity of 41 Poultry Service Providers, reaching out to almost 29,000 Poultry farmers in the region,” he said. “PIND has also influenced the creation of over 7,500 job opportunities, with farmers across the region experiencing a change in income of about N8.5 billion.”
Addressing the participants, Chief Eric Eseoghene Tomfawei, PAN, Delta State Chapter Chairman, said the Summit was a platform to galvanize support for small and medium-scale poultry and inputs entrepreneurs. He noted that it was necessary to salvage the industry from imminent collapse as this directly impacted the economy, employment, health, and, most importantly, food security, which undoubtedly are the key priorities of every government.
In June 2021 and August 2022, Delta state poultry farmers suffered significant financial losses from the deadly avian influenza virus. Additionally, a flood during the same period in 2022 displaced numerous poultry farmers in parts of the state, leading to a considerable decline in Delta State’s active poultry sector. This adversely affected the state’s economy and re-entered many youths and women into the labor market.
Mr. Tomfawei expressed gratitude to PIND for the support given to the poultry industry over the years, commending the Foundation and other organizations like it for their commitment to promoting sustainable development and improving farmers’ livelihoods in the Niger Delta region.
Representing the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Samuel Oligida, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting micro, small, and medium-scale farmers under the administration’s MORE Agenda, promising to provide the necessary support in ensuring the success of their businesses and the sustainability of the poultry industry in the state.
Notable attendees included past and present PAN Delta State Chapter executives, policymakers, practitioners, and other critical stakeholders in the poultry sector.
