The cashless policy implemented by the Federal Government in the country is still biting hard and impacting on most sectors of the economy, this is just as Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has lamented it lost 15 million crates of eggs worth N30 billion due to scarcity of cash.
According to thenationonlineng.net, the association in a statement signed by National President, Sunday Ezeobiora and Director General, Onallo Akpa, noted the industry is on the verge of collapse, and needs federal intervention.
It said the near absence of naira to make transactions made businesses in poultry difficult as most farmers now owe debtors to banks and suppliers of raw materials as well as other services.
READ: Africa: In 2 years, Nigeria spent $3.49bn on importation of eggs, dairy and fish products
The body appealed to the presidency to direct National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Directorate of Peacekeeping Operations of Armed Forces and Social Investment Programme of Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to work with it on how reliefs can be given to farmers to prevent collapse of the industry.
The statement reads: “The poultry industry is one of the most consolidated sub-sectors of agriculture contributing about 25 per cent of Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (AGDP) and over 25 million direct and indirect jobs.
“Over the years the poultry industry has been a major employer of labour and a great source of financial empowerment and livelihood for families, especially women and youths. The industry is mostly private sector driven worth over three trillion naira.
The industry has contributed to the local domestication of investments in the country.
“We appeal to the presidency to direct National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Directorate of Peacekeeping Operations of Armed Forces and Social Investment Programme of Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to work with PAN on how reliefs can be given to poultry farmers to prevent collapse of poultry.
“Making available grants and financial support to the industry through PAN to be worked out by government and the association.
“The support and succour to the industry will alleviate losses to the industry”.
