ibironkeeniola 
Poultry farmers in Oyo State have faulted some big players in the poultry industry for the drastic increase in the price of feeds, stating that their actions were a constant threat to the businesses of small and medium-scale farmers.
The farmers, under the aegis of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Oyo State Chapter, accused some big commercial feed millers of buying maize from hoarders or maize merchants at a very high price that is far above prevailing market price.
This, according to PAN causes unreasonable sudden hike in the price of maize which makes it unaffordable for other poultry farmers.
The association made this assertion at its general meeting which held recently at the Oyo state PAN secretariat in Ibadan.
In the group deliberations, it said that the scarcity of maize and soya bean meal was forcing the poultry industry into a meltdown, adding that the country’s food and job securities were under immense threat.
Recently, AgroNigeria had reported the ‘Save Our Soul’ call made by the South West chapter of PAN to the government to intervene in the ‘lingering grain crisis,’ as the cost of grains was laying siege on poultry businesses.
The high cost of producing live and processed chickens, as well as eggs, has resulted in huge losses for medium and smallholder poultry farmers, the state’s chapter also noted.
Demanding a level playing field, the group advised these big players to re-strategise and encourage the development and sustainability of the medium and smallholder poultry farmers.
The group also called on the Federal Government to sanction the immediate release of 300,000 metric tons of maize said to have been approved for release from storage.
It noted that the need for the crop was urgent as a result of the imminent collapse of the poultry industry.
PAN, however, pleaded for the entire poultry industry to work in tandem to moderate the excesses of the incessant hike in the prices of maize and soya bean meal, particularly in the South West region.