A significant push for automation in Nigeria’s poultry industry has come from Femi Adelayo, the Managing Director and CEO of FACCO West Africa Ltd. Adelayo believes that automation is the key to unlocking several challenges currently hindering the sector. These challenges include increasing food production (value addition), achieving higher yields, and ultimately tackling the serious issue of food insecurity plaguing the nation.
Statistics present a worrying picture. In 2020, Nigeria’s average yearly egg intake per person was 78.48 eggs. This is significantly lower than industrialized countries such as the United States (285.5 eggs/person/year) and South Africa (128.2 eggs/person/year). This substantial gap underlines the need for a significant increase in chicken production to meet the nutritional needs of the Nigerian people.
Adelayo believes that automation provides a great solution. Several important aspects of chicken farming can be dramatically improved by introducing automated technology. Automation can streamline processes, resulting in enhanced efficiency and productivity. This leads to increased yields, allowing farms to produce more poultry products such as eggs and meat. Furthermore, automation can help to provide continuous quality control throughout the manufacturing process. This not only increases the overall quality of the finished product but it also reduces waste.
Furthermore, automation can handle labor-related issues. While opening up new options in areas like system maintenance and operation, automation can also minimize reliance on manual labor, which is sometimes plagued by inconsistency and inefficiency. This can be especially useful in areas where trained labor is rare.
The benefits of automation extend beyond the farm itself. By creating a more efficient and productive poultry industry, automation can contribute to price stabilization. This, in turn, makes poultry products more affordable for consumers, improving overall food security. With a steady supply of high-quality and affordable poultry products, Nigerians will have greater access to essential protein, leading to a healthier and more nourished population.
Implementing broad automation in Nigeria’s chicken business poses its own set of obstacles. The initial investment expenses connected with automation technologies can be high, providing a challenge for smaller farms. There is also a need for training and development programs to provide the workforce with the skills required to efficiently run and maintain automated systems.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of automation in the Nigerian poultry industry are undeniable. By working collaboratively, stakeholders like the government, industry leaders, and financial institutions can develop solutions to address the initial investment costs. Additionally, investment in training programs can ensure a skilled workforce prepared to navigate the new automated landscape.
Fully implementing automation is a major chance to revolutionize the Nigerian poultry sector. Automation has the ability to significantly enhance efficiency, production, and overall quality, making it an important weapon in combating food insecurity and ensuring a brighter future for Nigerians. We can confront the difficulties of automation by properly thinking and collaborating to develop a safer and more sustainable food system in Nigeria.
