By Chinyere Anyanwu
The federal government has been called upon to reduce tariffs on imported micro-inputs as well as poultry production equipment while implementing a duty-free policy to lower production costs and drive growth in the poultry value chain.
The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) made the call in Abuja at the weekend during a courtesy visit of a delegation of members of the association led by Olatunde Badmus, to the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha.
Speaking to the PAN delegation, the minister emphasised the urgent need for government intervention to address challenges facing the poultry industry.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalising the sector, highlighting the importance of sustainable policies and immediate action.
“The large-scale cultivation of maize, sorghum and soy is imperative. Without these critical inputs, we cannot break free from the current challenges. Rest assured, progress is already underway,” Maiha stated.
The PAN delegation proposed that the government act as the “buyer of last resort” for key grains like maize and soy to stabilise market prices, ensure a steady supply for poultry feed and enhance national food security.
In addition, PAN advocated zero-duty policies on imported poultry equipment and micro-inputs to reduce production costs even as they also supported maintaining restrictions on frozen poultry imports to protect local producers and attract foreign investments into Nigeria’s poultry sector.
With these measures, the association is targeting enhanced productivity, stabilised market and repositioned poultry industry as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s food security and economic development.