The empowerment of poultry farmers in Nigeria has become a pressing necessity to address challenges in feed production and enhance the sustainability of poultry farming. A beneficiary of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-Livelihood Family Enterprises in Delta (LIFE-ND), Mrs. Mercy Oza-Kpolor, recently urged the federal, state, and local governments to take active steps in supporting poultry farmers. Her appeal, made during a media tour of IFAD-LIFE-ND facilities in Oza-Nogogo, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta, highlighted the dire need for government intervention in mitigating the soaring costs of poultry feed, which have become a significant burden for farmers.
Oza-Kpolor emphasized that government support in empowering farmers to produce their own feed would have far-reaching benefits. Not only would it alleviate the financial pressure on poultry farmers, but it would also increase their income and ensure more affordable access to protein-rich poultry products for the general population. The exorbitant cost of feed has emerged as a critical challenge to sustainable poultry farming, with prices escalating from N6,000 per 25kg bag in previous years to a staggering N25,000 currently. Such a steep rise severely threatens the viability of poultry farming for small and medium-scale farmers, making government intervention more urgent than ever.
Reflecting on her journey, Oza-Kpolor narrated how her involvement with the IFAD-LIFE-ND project in 2021 transformed her livelihood. As part of the program, she received 500 birds and 50 bags of feed, along with critical training in poultry farming. Despite the success of the initiative in providing her with a sustainable source of income, the escalating feed costs remain a significant obstacle. She urged the government to empower farmers like herself to establish their own feed production units, a move she believes would resolve many of the challenges farmers face.
The LIFE-ND program, funded by IFAD, has been pivotal in transforming rural economies in the Niger Delta region. Its goal is to enhance income levels, food security, and job creation for youth and women through sustainable agri-enterprise development. The program operates by identifying experienced agri-entrepreneurs, termed incubators, who provide hands-on training to trainees or incubatees. This unique model equips beneficiaries with the practical skills and resources needed to establish and manage successful agricultural enterprises. For Oza-Kpolor, the program offered a lifeline, allowing her to transition from an unsustainable hairdressing business to a thriving agribusiness.
The success of the LIFE-ND program underscores the importance of replicating similar initiatives across Nigeria, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The empowerment of farmers not only contributes to their individual prosperity but also addresses broader societal issues, such as unemployment and food insecurity. By focusing on feed production as a critical component of poultry farming, the government can create a ripple effect that enhances the entire value chain, from production to consumption.
Oza-Kpolor’s story is a testament to the transformative potential of targeted agricultural interventions. However, her plea for government support in addressing feed production challenges remains a call to action. Policymakers must prioritize measures to subsidize feed costs, facilitate access to affordable raw materials for feed production, and provide training and resources for farmers to produce feed locally. Such steps would not only boost the poultry sector but also contribute to Nigeria’s broader economic and nutritional goals.
Empowering poultry farmers to make their own feed is a key tactic to guarantee the long-term viability and expansion of Nigeria’s poultry sector. Well-designed interventions can boost rural economies, generate employment, and improve food security, as demonstrated by the LIFE-ND initiative. To ensure a robust and prosperous agricultural sector for the country, the government must now build on these achievements and solve the issues impeding poultry farmers.
