The government of Ekiti State has distributed 10,000 50kg bags of maize to livestock farmers throughout the state.
During the distribution of grains to the beneficiary Farmers associations on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, clarified that the palliative measure, the third of its kind by the government, aims primarily to enhance the production of livestock farmers.
The Commissioner emphasized that the government’s gesture acknowledges the importance of revitalizing livestock farms, with a focus on food security, creating employment opportunities, and increasing protein production, among other benefits.
Boluwade stated that “free maize grains distribution to poultry farmers in the State would go a long way in alleviating the problem of 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 high cost of feed leading to serious concern 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 production of protein”.
Boluwade, who also serves as the Chairman of the State Special Committee on Palliatives, cautioned against the diversion of the grains, emphasizing that any form of selling or diversion would undermine the purpose of the scheme.
The Commissioner said that the bags have been stamped “Not to be Sold” stressing anybody caught attempting to sell it would be sanctioned.
The State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, in his remarked characterized the intervention as strategic, noting that it was part of the government’s efforts to make farming more appealing, especially to youths, and to support farmers in thriving.
Reaffirming the dedication of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to the State’s development and the overall welfare of its residents, Olatunbosun assured that the revitalization of agriculture in the State is meticulously planned, as outlined in the Agriculture and Rural Development pillar of the administration, and will be carefully executed.
The government spokesman solicited the continued support of all stakeholders for efforts to make life more meaningful for all strata of the society, stressing the need to take advantage of opportunity provided by Government to improve their lot as well as using government’s largess judiciously to achieve the desired impact.
The Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Mr. Oluwasetemi Alonge, in his response 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% of 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.
Adeniran noted that the high cost of inputs have 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 allocated to poultry, piggery, goat, and fishery farmers, among other beneficiary associations, through a distribution process facilitated by various agricultural associations.