Poultry farmers across Nigeria are facing massive losses as many customers turned away from chicken purchases during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Despite preparing for the festive season with high expectations, many poultry farmers were left with unsold stocks, struggling to cope with low patronage due to the financial strain many families experienced.
Dr. Onallo Akpa, the Director General of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), shared insights into the challenges faced by poultry farmers during the holidays.
Traditionally, poultry farmers anticipated a high demand for chicken, believing that no matter the economic situation, families would still be able to purchase chicken for their celebrations.
As a result, there was a surge in investment for broiler production, especially among small-scale backyard poultry producers.
However, despite the high cost of day-old chicks and rising poultry feed prices, farmers remained hopeful, stocking up on broilers in anticipation of strong sales. But the reality was different.
Many families struggled with their purchasing power and prioritized basic necessities over poultry, leading to over 50% of the broilers produced for the holidays remaining unsold.
This situation has had a severe impact on the poultry sector. Farmers, unable to continue feeding their unsold birds, are facing escalating production costs.
Dr. Akpa pointed out that for many families relying on poultry farming for their livelihoods, the financial strain is becoming unbearable, and some have been forced to close their farms.
The wider effects are also being felt across the economy. With over 25 million Nigerians depending directly or indirectly on the poultry industry, the sector plays a critical role in the nation’s food security and job creation.
To recover, Dr. Akpa stressed the importance of a focused economic strategy that supports the agricultural sector, particularly poultry farming, which could help alleviate some of the current challenges.
Despite the losses, Dr. Akpa remains hopeful that with the right interventions, including government support for the agriculture sector, the poultry industry can recover and continue to thrive in the coming years.
The key, he emphasized, is to ensure that the needs of the people are addressed, while also recognizing the crucial role poultry plays in national nutrition and food security.
In conclusion, while the festive season brought disappointment for many poultry farmers, there remains a glimmer of hope that strategic changes in economic policies and government support could lead to a brighter future for the industry in 2025.
Leave a Reply