The Feed Industry Practitioners Association of Nigeria (FIPAN) has called on the federal government to review tariffs on essential imports within the livestock value chain in order to reduce feed production costs.
The association stressed the importance of government investments in research, innovation, and infrastructure to drive long-term growth in the sector.
According to FIPAN, without federal intervention, local livestock farmers will continue to struggle with high feed costs, which could lead to increased food inflation and a decline in domestic production of meat, poultry, and dairy products.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, FIPAN President Dr. Ayoola Oduntan highlighted that the prices of key feed ingredients, such as maize and soybean meal, have risen by over 60% in the past year due to inflation, inefficiencies in production, and unfavorable exchange rates.
He further noted that delays and additional fees at the ports add to the cost of importing additives and concentrates, exacerbating the problem.
Dr. Oduntan urged the government to “review tariffs on essential imports in the livestock value chain to further reduce the cost of feed production” and to “make investments in research, innovation, and infrastructure to stimulate long-term industry expansion.”
He also proposed several measures to address the challenges faced by the sector, including the establishment of strategic animal feed reserve silos for feed maize, the creation of a special intervention fund to stabilize raw material prices, and promoting alternative feed sources such as insect protein, cassava peels, and palm kernel cake.
To encourage further innovation, FIPAN recommended improving partnerships between research institutions, universities, and the private sector in feed formulation.
Dr. Oduntan warned that without government intervention, the livestock sector could face job losses, a reduced supply of protein, and an increased reliance on expensive food imports.
