The rising cost of poultry feed in Nigeria has become a pressing issue, prompting stakeholders in the poultry industry, under the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), to call on the federal government for urgent intervention. This concern was a focal point of the recently concluded 13th Nigeria Poultry Show held in Abeokuta. Themed “Adapting to Economic Realities: Innovative Approaches to Poultry Production Amidst Raw Material Deficit,” the event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and farmers to address the myriad challenges confronting the sector.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Olalekan Odunsi, Chairman of the event’s organizing committee, highlighted the significant impact of escalating poultry feed costs on the industry. According to him, the poultry sector is a vital component of Nigeria’s food security framework, providing employment and contributing to the national economy. However, its growth and sustainability are currently threatened by several hurdles, including the surging prices of essential feed ingredients. These challenges, he noted, have stifled progress and pose a risk to the livelihoods of millions dependent on the industry.
Dr. Joe Dada, Chairman of the Board of Livestock Feeds Plc, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the need for government support to bolster the agricultural sector. He underscored the importance of adopting innovative technologies to enhance the efficiency and profitability of poultry farming. According to Dr. Dada, technology-driven optimization and capacity building in agribusiness value chains have the potential to revolutionize the industry. He called on farmers to embrace these innovations as a means of navigating the current economic challenges and securing the future of poultry production in Nigeria.
Rev. Gideon Oluleye, Chairman of the South-West zone of PAN, reiterated the need for increased government funding in agriculture, with a particular focus on the poultry subsector. He advocated for policies that would create market opportunities for farmers, such as the school feeding program. Rev. Oluleye urged poultry farmers to remain resilient in the face of economic difficulties, expressing optimism that better days lie ahead. His remarks reflected the collective determination of stakeholders to sustain the sector despite the prevailing hardships.
The national president of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Mr. Sunday Ezeobiora, represented by Onu Izuo Lisa, Vice President of the South-East zone, also addressed the gathering. He lamented the high cost of production as a significant barrier to the growth of the industry. Mr. Ezeobiora identified funding shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and limited marketing opportunities as critical challenges requiring urgent attention. He called on the government to prioritize the poultry industry in its agricultural policies, emphasizing its role in enhancing food security and economic stability.
The poultry industry’s situation is aggravated by inflationary trends in the broader economy, which have raised the cost of raw materials used in feed production. Stakeholders at the event unanimously agreed that a comprehensive approach combining government involvement, private sector investment, and technical innovation is required to reinvigorate the sector. They highlighted the importance of tackling these challenges immediately to avoid additional declines in production capacity and to assure the industry’s sustained contribution to the nation’s development.
As discussions concluded, participants expressed hope that the government would heed their call for support. They emphasized that with strategic interventions, the poultry industry could overcome its current challenges and unlock its full potential. This would not only stabilize the sector but also enhance Nigeria’s food security and economic resilience, underscoring the importance of immediate and coordinated action.
