Dignitaries at PAN, EIPS summit 2026 in Enugu.
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
Members of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), in the South East zone, has commenced a two-day summit in Enugu, tagged, ‘Eastern Nigeria Poultry Summit 2026’, with expectation of defining the problems confronting the industry and proffering solutions for improved production,to enhance national economy.
The two-day event, September 9 to September 10 eith theme, From Farm to Market’ is holding at Amadeo event center, Ebeano Tunnel, Enugu.
The National Vice President of the association, Sir Izuolisa Onu, who also is the Local Otganising Committee chairman of the summit, lamented that even as the Poultry industry remains one of the fastest pathways to food security,Job creation and wealth generation in Nigeria, the industry is facing serious challenges.
He defined the challenges to include high cost of feeds and day old chicks, weak cold -chain logistics, limited access to finance and market challenges that fail to connect the farmer to the consumer.
He said that the poultry farmers won’t abandon the trade,stating that the purpose of the summit is to sort means of surmounting the challenges.
His words, “Today, We are not here to lament these challenges.We are here to challenge them. Farm to Market is a call to action. It is about closing the loop.From the Breeder farm in Enugu to the processor at 9th mile,to the huge hubs in Owerri and Onitsha,and to export markets beyond our shores”.
Sir Izuolisa Onu said the poultry industry is a value chain that employs thousands of Nigerans,ensuring food security while growing the nation’s Agro -Gross Domestic Product (GDP) astronomically.
He urged participants to engage in robust conversations and policy dialogues designed to produce solutions to Poultry farmers problems in Nigeria, especially in the South East zone of the country.
He stated further, “It is about scaling trade through trust, standards and partnerships. It is about scaling Investment by de-risking the sector and making it attractive for capital,both local and foreign It is about unlocking the entire value chain From crop production to feed, Feed milling, Breeding and Hatchery operations, Day-old chicks to farm production, Post harvest processes, Cold chain and distribution to the final consumer,” the National Vice President,PAN, also buttressed in his address.
He expresssed hope that the two day summit will deliver measurable impacts in solving the problems of poultry farming in the zone, not just a communique.
In a good wll message, the Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development NARD, South East Development Commission (SEDC),Dr.Cliff Ogbede, disclosed that the Commission will re invent agricultural production as the mainstay of the South East zone economy, a replica of the defunct Eastern region economy under late Michael Okpara, during which the Eastern region was reckoned as the fastest growing economy in the world.
He revealed that SEDC will establsh agro farm across the five states in the zone, with that of Enugu state to be flagged off by Governor Peter Mbah, very soon.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal ministry of Livestock development, represented by Dr.Chinyere Ijeoma, described livestock Industry as the new Oil Industry in Nigeria, stating that the Federal Governnent is committed in revitalising the livestock Industry to maximise output in the next 10 years.
The Commissioner for Livestock in Imo state, Prof.Anthony Mgbeahuruike, in his good will message,advocated for farmers to be exempted from certain grades of taxes, so as to help the industry to grow.
He lamented that most machines used in running the industry are acquired from abroad. Again the lack of a hacthery in the South East zone compels the Poultry farmers to source day old chicks from South West zone of the country, by so doing increasing the cost of acquiring and growing firm birds in Enugu state.
Presentations on how to grow and sustain the Poultry business in the zone and Nigeria, generally were offered by experts in various fields during the technical session.
The summit which ended on Thursday, also witnessed exhibitions, capacity building/Training and presentations.
