Cultivate maize to address grain shortage, poultry farmers urged

Poultry farmers have been asked to key into maize planting to address the problem of grain shortage facing the sector.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Ogun State, Bolu Owotomo, who gave the advice at a meeting with members of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PANOG), Ogun State Chapter, noted that challenges in the sector were not peculiar to the state, hence the need for all stakeholders to look inward for solutions.

While assuring them that government was working on modalities to boost poultry farming, the commissioner advised them to venture into other agricultural sub-sectors to maximise their output.

He also assured that government would continue to harness the vast arable farmlands to revitalise the agriculture, ensure food sufficiency and economic prosperity for the people.

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Speaking on behalf of others, the Chairman PANOG, Owode, Alhaji Yinka Lawal, commended government for releasing maize to the association at subsidised rate, calling for more collaboration to leverage agricultural potentials.

Meanwhile, the commissioner also emphasised the need to maximise the potentials of the rubber sub-sector to strengthen the economy, boost employment opportunities and enhance foreign exchange.

Owotomo made this known at a meeting with the Managing Director, Divine Vision Cash Crop Farmers Limited, Evang. Oluwatosin Jeremiah, and the Chairman National Rubber Producers Processors and Marketing Association, Ogun State Chapter, Mr. Oladele MacDaniel, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

He said rubber production contributes significantly to the economy by providing job opportunities and raw materials for agro-based industries, explaining that Ilushin Rubber Estate in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area was undergoing re-organisation to set the pace for rubber production in the state.