The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), has reacted to the new scheme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) called Tertiary Institutions Poultry Revival Scheme (TIPRS), an initiative in collaboration with higher institutions in boosting poultry production, and fostering innovation in the poultry sub sector.
The National President of the Association, Ezekiel Ibrahim, while commenting on the scheme, disclosed that instead of encouraging tertiary institutions to go into commercial production, the apex bank should rather fund them on research on how to improve agricultural production in the country.
In fulfilment of its resolve to diversify the economy, create jobs and engender inclusive economic growth in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched an intervention program aimed at reviving the comatose poultry sub-sector in the country, and raising a new crop of entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector through modern poultry production.
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Ibrahim noted that his association kicked against the idea when it was raised in 2019 because CBN should have directed the energy to those players in PAN, who are already in the business of repositioning the poultry industry to become one of the top 10 leading global producers of eggs and meat.
The PAN Chairman, Ogun State Chapter, Idowu Asenuga, confirmed that CBN should be partnering with PAN on how to scale up poultry production since the association already had the comparative advantage to run and manage poultry businesses effectively as the first in egg production and second in poultry meat in Africa.
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Meanwhile, some stakeholders, on the other hand, commended the apex bank for the initiative, stating that it is a right step in the right direction that will reduce the flight of the nation’s foreign reserves through the import of unwholesome chicken into the country.
General Secretary of PAN, Lagos State Chapter, Foluso Adams, noted that the initiative will keep the institutions busy as they are now saddled with responsibilities and tasks that are result-oriented, adding that it will boost production and make other stakeholders happier.
