Date: 2020-07-18

No fewer than 10,000 rural women in Kwara State are to be empowered in broiler chicken production.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) initiative is to empower the rural women to boost their economic well-being. The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Olarewaju Muritala disclosed this while hosting Executive Members of Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria (PAN), Kwara State Chapter in his office.

He stated that the programme was aimed to stimulate production of broiler chicken and to expand poultry business sub-sector in the state through involving the women farmers.

He said the government was not oblivious of the difficulties encountered by the poultry farmers in the state especially during this COVID-19 period adding that measures have been put in place to mitigate the situation.

He enjoined the association to accord state government all the necessary support needed to ensure that the women are empowered to boost chicken production to make the state become the food hub of the country.

Speaking earlier, Kwara State Chairman, Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria, Pastor Adeniyi Solomon appealed to the government to assist poultry farmers in solving some of the challenges threatening the poultry business adding that the increase in the cost of poultry feed has caused hardship to many of their members.