The Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) in Oyo state, Mr. Omidokun Oyekunle, has disclosed that nearly half of the poultry farmers in the state have been forced out of business.
Oyekunle said this while speaking with journalists on Wednesday, cautioning that the current trend could severely impact the nation’s economy. He pointed out that the poultry industry plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), contributing roughly 25%.
He urged both the Federal and State Governments to take swift action to support those who have already exited the industry and to provide assistance to those still in business. He called for the provision of soft loans to poultry farmers at interest rates not exceeding five percent, along with improved access to essential raw materials like maize and soybeans.
Speaking further, he lamented that the high cost of poultry feeds, particularly maize and soybeans, is a major challenge for farmers, significantly increasing the cost of production.
“Majority of poultry farmers are no longer using the new maize because of its moisture content; it will affect production and the eggs of the birds.”
“What those who are using it do is that they grind it, spread it and wait for about five days and even add some preservatives, but the weather is not favourable,” he said
He added that the combination of rising production costs and the limited profit margins on egg sales is forcing many poultry farmers out of business, leading to higher egg prices.
Oyekunle further decried the adverse effects of frozen chicken imports on the local poultry market. According to him, this practice undermines the competitiveness of locally produced chicken. He called for an end to these imports to protect the industry.
He, however, commended the federal government for allowing maize imports, noting that this decision could eventually help reduce production costs and encourage more people to return to poultry farming.
Despite the challenges, Oyekunle expressed hope that the approved maize importation would lead to lower feed costs, citing the current price of a 25kg bag of broiler feed, which now costs N25,600 and is only sufficient to feed 200 birds.
