September 26, 2023

 

Nigeria's poultry farmers plead for government action to prevent collapse of industry

 

 

 

Poultry farmers in Nigeria, particularly, in Lagos State, have called on the Nigerian government to intervene and prevent the imminent collapse of the domestic poultry industry.

 

The development came following fuel subsidy removal, the devaluation of the naira and the attendant negative impact on poultry businesses.

 

The farmers, under the aegis of the Erikorodo Poultry Association, made the appeal in a statement signed by its chairman, Juliana Ibitoye. They appealed to the government to provide support directly to farmers within the Erikorodo Poultry Estate.

 

The association said that most of its members have lost their capital in the past one year and their businesses are on the verge of shutdown.

 

"Over the last couple of months, the prices of poultry feeds have increased by over 100%," the association said. "This is as a result of the scarcity of maize, which is a major component of poultry (feed) production. The devaluation of the naira and the fuel subsidy removal have also impacted the industry adversely.

 

"Most poultry farmers have resorted to selling off their birds since they are no longer able to feed them. Some others are selling their farms as there seems to be no hope in sight.

 

"Farms within our estate employ over a thousand staff directly and more than 500 indirectly with several thousands also depending on these people for livelihood. Closure of these farms will throw many people out of employment, dim the hope of a better life for their families and adversely affect the food security drive of the government."

 

The association also appealed to the government to provide grants and soft loans to farmers to enable them to resuscitate their businesses. It expressed its support for the establishment of commodity boards to help regulate the price of poultry products.

 

Additionally, the association called for the immediate release of corn from the federal grains reserve, as well as removing restrictions on the import of corn to enable more players to bring in the grain.

 

- The Guardian