MEAT SUBSIDY FOR ALL

At the beginning of the year, the Federal Government tactically withdrew from sharing the burden of fuel consumption with Nigerians. The oil subsidy was removed, and though it was protested against strongly, only a little difference was made. No matter the reduction in fuel prices, things were not the same again. The prices of almost all commodities, consumables and non-consumables alike, changed. Food items were no exception as marketers laid claim that the cost of transporting the farm goods had increased. It now appears the struggle will never end. More people will definitely be going about in the streets hungry.

In my recent survey of most markets around, I discovered that one essential food item whose price is fast going beyond what the masses can afford is meat. The price of meat, of any type, is skyrocketing. Inevitably, it is an essential part of human diet. Man will not be able to live in good health as expected if proteins are conspicuously absent from our meals. How then do we face this challenge?

For how long are we going to complain about this? The situation may not get any better if we are not ready to embrace the remedy nature is suggesting. Agriculture remains the only way out of this famine that is fast clamping down on us.

One way we can all arise to this challenge is by going the way of animal husbandry again. Although we may not all be able to raise cattle, or even goats, virtually every one can engage in poultry. Poultry is the act of raising domestic birds such as chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls, geese, and so on for food consumption. As small as that open space at the back of our house is, it can do us a lot of nutritional benefit if we can raise some birds there. Poultry is easy to set up and manage; and unlike other animals, it does not require a wide expanse of land. For instance, the deep litter system of raising birds only requires a square metre (1m2) to raise three adult birds successfully, talk more of the battery cage system that affords raising a larger number on a limited space.

The two common media of raising birds are: the deep litter system and the battery cage system. The former involves raising birds in a fixed building specially built to house them, while the latter involves the use of cages that are often movable. Each method has its challenges, but both still give a high yield if well managed. The management of poultry is not too cumbersome for anyone. Hygiene is the most important because birds are fragile animals, and so an untidy environment easily predisposes them to infections. To also obtain the best yield from poultry, they must be fed adequately with balanced feed ration and clean water. Fortunately, the cost of their feed is not too unbearable, the ingredients are readily available in the market. In addition, routine attention must be given to them; antibiotics, vaccines and other drugs should be given to them as at when due and as prescribed by a veterinary doctor.

The more exciting fact about poultry is that it not only offers us access to good meat, the layers amongst them can produce a good number of quality eggs- another source of protein. Furthermore, it does not take too long for birds to grow up to a marketable or table size. A good breed grows to full size from 6-8 months if well fed and cared for.

Imagine how much you will save on meat budget this coming Eld-El-Fitri and Christmas if you can start making plans to raise your own poultry from now. The joy it brings is so overwhelming as well; you can go on with life without worries about government subsidies because you have been able to subsidize meat at least for yourself.