Poultry farmers in Kano State have appealed to the government to provide subsidised feed and medication to help reduce production costs and keep their businesses afloat amid rising prices of essential inputs.
The farmers made the appeal in separate interviews with journalists on Tuesday in Kano, expressing concern that escalating expenses were putting pressure on their operations and making it increasingly difficult to sustain profitability.
One of the farmers, Aminu Nabegu, said the prices of poultry feed had risen considerably, increasing the financial burden on producers.
He said a bag of Ultima Plus, which previously sold for N20,000, now cost N23,000, while the price of Ultima feed had climbed from N18,000 to N21,000.
According to him, Chikun feed increased from N16,500 to N18,000, while Hybrid feed rose from N12,000 to N14,200.
Nabegu added that day-old chicks, formerly sold for between N500 and N700, now cost about N2,000, further raising the amount required to start and operate a poultry farm.
He noted, however, that farmers could still earn some returns by selling mature birds at higher prices, although the substantial capital required to establish a farm had discouraged prospective entrants into the business.
Despite the challenges, Nabegu said poultry farming remained his primary source of livelihood and that he valued whatever profit he could make.
He also identified the approaching harmattan season as an additional concern, explaining that farmers needed electric bulbs or lanterns to provide adequate lighting and warmth for their birds.
He said proper lighting helped birds locate feed and water at night, while maintaining a warm environment was essential for their health and growth.
Nabegu urged the government to prioritise experienced poultry farmers in its support programmes, arguing that they had the knowledge to make effective use of the assistance.
He estimated that raising 100 day-old chicks to market size could require between 13 and 14 bags of feed, depending on feeding practices and farm management.
Another farmer, Ruth Johnson, said her involvement in poultry farming stemmed from her passion for keeping birds, which she described as a hobby.
Johnson said the cost of running a poultry farm had increased significantly compared with the previous year, particularly expenses for day-old chicks, feed and medication.
Despite the higher costs, she said she remained appreciative of any profit generated from the business, regardless of the amount.
Similarly, Amos Patrick said the rising cost of production had not deterred him from poultry farming, although he had become more careful in managing his resources.
Patrick explained that he fed his birds according to the funds available to him and sold them based on customers’ needs and purchasing preferences.
He said some customers preferred birds aged five weeks, while others requested birds that were six, seven or eight weeks old.
The farmer added that raising birds to different ages according to demand enabled him to serve customers with varying preferences.
The farmers called on the government to introduce measures that would make poultry feed, medication and other essential inputs more affordable, saying such support would help reduce financial pressure and sustain their businesses.
