The Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), is urging the new administration to prioritize affordable access to grains for feed production.
They lament that the high cost of grains, caused by insecurity issues and expensive transportation, has made grains inaccessible for poultry farmers. As a result, the prices of poultry products have increased.
By making feed more accessible and affordable, the prices of poultry products can be lowered, contributing to food security within the poultry sub-sector.
Mr. Godwin Egbebe, the National Publicity Secretary of the Poultry Farmers Association, expressed the association’s expectations from the incoming administration in an interview.
He emphasized the need for proactive measures to achieve food security, particularly in the poultry sub-sector. Affordable access to grains for feed production is crucial in reducing the cost of production.
Egbebe highlighted the challenges faced by poultry farmers in obtaining grains, specifically commercial maize and soya from the North, where insecurity issues and high transportation costs prevail.
According to him, these factors have made grains inaccessible or expensive when available.
Previously, a ton of grain was priced between N200,000 and N220,000. However, due to the insecurity issues, the current price has increased to between N290,000 and N310,000 per ton.
The association believes that once grains become accessible and affordable, there will be enough feed for poultry production. This will result in lower prices of poultry products and minimize production costs.
PFAN emphasizes that making feed accessible will make animal proteins like eggs and chicken more affordable for the average Nigerian.
The sub-sector has witnessed a decrease in egg production due to some farmers leaving the business, leading to a reduction in the egg glut.
Currently, a crate of eggs sells at the farm gate for around N2000 to N2200, depending on the size. PFAN emphasizes that the prices of eggs and other poultry products can only decrease when there is affordable access to grains and subsequent reduction in production costs.