The Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) has intensified its call for increased investment in sustainable poultry farming, describing the sector as a critical pillar for food security, job creation, and poverty reduction. Through its second Annual Chicken Fair held simultaneously in Benin City, Abuja, and Lagos, LAPO brought together poultry farmers, agribusiness players, financial institutions, and development stakeholders to promote modern, sustainable approaches to poultry production that can deliver long-term economic and social benefits.
LAPO underscored that poultry farming remains one of the fastest-growing agricultural sub-sectors due to its relatively low entry cost, quick production cycles, and high demand for poultry products such as eggs and chicken meat. However, the organisation noted that many smallholder farmers are unable to fully benefit from the sector because of limited access to finance, rising feed costs, disease outbreaks, and inadequate technical knowledge. According to LAPO, addressing these challenges requires deliberate investment in sustainable farming models rather than short-term production fixes.
At the event, LAPO leadership emphasised that sustainability in poultry farming means adopting practices that improve productivity while safeguarding farmers’ incomes, animal welfare, and the environment. These practices include proper housing systems, strict biosecurity measures, improved feed efficiency, effective waste management, and the use of innovations that reduce losses and production costs. By encouraging farmers to embrace these methods, LAPO aims to build resilient poultry enterprises capable of withstanding economic shocks and fluctuating market conditions.
A major highlight of LAPO’s intervention in the poultry sector is its focus on inclusive growth. The organisation has consistently prioritised women and youth, recognising them as key drivers of agricultural transformation. Through tailored financial products, training programmes, and capacity-building initiatives, LAPO supports small-scale poultry farmers to expand their operations, improve production standards, and transition from subsistence farming to profitable agribusiness ventures. This empowerment model helps farmers generate steady income, improve household welfare, and create employment within their communities.
LAPO also stressed the importance of strengthening the poultry value chain beyond production. According to the organisation, sustainable growth in the sector depends on reliable access to quality inputs, efficient distribution systems, and stable markets for poultry products. By connecting farmers to markets and promoting value addition such as egg handling, meat processing, and packaging, LAPO seeks to enhance profitability and reduce post-production losses. These efforts contribute to building a more competitive and self-reliant poultry industry.
In addition to economic gains, LAPO highlighted the nutritional importance of poultry farming. Eggs and chicken meat provide essential proteins and nutrients that are vital for healthy growth and development, especially among children. Expanding sustainable poultry production improves access to affordable animal protein, helping to combat malnutrition and improve overall public health outcomes. LAPO noted that food security is not only about availability but also about consistent access to nutritious food for all segments of the population.
Stakeholders at the Chicken Fair echoed LAPO’s call for stronger collaboration among government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, and the private sector. Supportive policies, affordable credit facilities, farmer education, and investment in agricultural research were identified as key factors needed to scale up sustainable poultry farming. LAPO maintained that coordinated efforts are essential to unlocking the full potential of the sector and ensuring that farmers are adequately supported.
As the demand for poultry products continues to rise, LAPO reaffirmed its commitment to driving sustainable solutions that benefit farmers, consumers, and the wider economy. The organisation believes that with sustained investment, innovation, and inclusive policies, poultry farming can play a transformative role in reducing poverty, enhancing food security, and fostering long-term economic development. Through initiatives such as the Annual Chicken Fair, LAPO continues to position itself as a leading advocate for sustainable agriculture and rural empowerment.
