Poultry farmers decry over high cost of production

The Plateau chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has decried the high cost of production of chicken, describing the situation as unbearable. The Public Relations Officer of the association, Mrs Nanji Gambo, stated this in an interview with on Wednesday in Jos. Gambo said the cost of running poultry farms was too high, and urged government to intervene and save the business from collapse.

She said that if the situation was not addressed many poultry farmers would crash out of business. She said that many poultry farmers had already downsized in order to break even, while others had gone out of business. The official said they need government intervention in order to break even and remain in business. She, however, urged the poultry keepers to remain focused and patient as they await government intervention.

One the poultry farmers in Jos, Mrs Ruth Onoji, told the correspondent that the profit margin in the business was slim and discouraging and that she was already on the verge of giving up the venture. The problems are enormous -high prices of chicken feed, outbreak of diseases; expensive veterinary care and even staffing. We need quick help. Another poultry Farmer, Aminat Yusuf, said that the hike in the prices of chicken feed was her major concern.

Yusuf said that a day old chicken which was sold for N150 was now selling for N500, while a bag of feed that was sold for N5000 was now selling for N7,380. She said she bought a bag of chicken feed on Monday and during the same week the price had increased, they need control. Another poultry farmer, James Emeka, described the cost of production as outrageously high which he said, had continued to erode the profit margin daily.