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Poultry farmers in Nigeria have called for urgent government intervention to address rising production expenses, warning that the increasing cost of animal feed and other operational challenges are putting pressure on businesses across the industry.
The farmers identified expensive feed ingredients, limited access to loans, shortages of day-old chicks, disease outbreaks and insecurity as major obstacles affecting poultry production. They warned that without practical solutions, the challenges could undermine local food production and make poultry products less affordable for consumers.
The Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Southwest Zone, Oluleye Olugbeja, made the appeal in Abeokuta, Ogun State, ahead of the 2026 Nigerian Poultry Show scheduled for November 3 to 5.
Olugbeja said stakeholders needed to embrace modern farming techniques and innovative production methods to reduce expenses and improve output. He also stressed that food security was closely connected to national security, noting that inadequate food supplies could contribute to public frustration and instability.
The forthcoming poultry exhibition is expected to bring together farmers, investors, researchers, financial institutions and government representatives to discuss solutions to the industry’s difficulties. Participants will also explore technological innovations, improved feeding systems, modern equipment and investment opportunities.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigerian Poultry Show, Dr Olalekan Odunsi, disclosed that feed accounts for approximately 75 per cent of poultry production costs, making its affordability crucial to the survival of farms.
Odunsi urged the government and financial institutions to provide farmers with accessible loans at single-digit interest rates, explaining that many operators needed additional funding to expand their businesses and meet the growing demand for poultry products.
He also raised concerns about the increasing cost and limited availability of day-old chicks, particularly pullets, alongside inadequate insurance coverage for farms affected by disease outbreaks and other unexpected losses.
On security, Odunsi observed that fears of attacks were discouraging some farmers from visiting their farms. He called for coordinated action involving government agencies, lenders, insurance companies and other stakeholders to address the problems and strengthen Nigeria’s poultry industry.
