Poultry farmers in Nigeria face significant losses as unsold chicken stocks pile up after the holidays. Poor sales during Christmas and New Year highlight the urgent need for economic reforms and government support for the poultry industry. Nigerian poultry farmers are facing massive losses after experiencing poor sales of chicken during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. In an exclusive interview, Dr. Onallo Akpa, Director General of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), highlighted the struggles of poultry farmers, citing economic challenges and reduced purchasing power as major factors that discouraged families from buying chicken. Preparation for the Festive Season Poultry farmers entered the festive season with high hopes, expecting robust sales as families traditionally include chicken in their holiday celebrations. Investments in broiler production skyrocketed, especially among small-scale backyard poultry farmers, despite the high costs of Day-Old Chicks (DOCs) and poultry feed. Dr. Akpa noted that almost every poultry producer, regardless of scale, stocked broilers in anticipation of high demand. “The belief was that, no matter the circumstances, families would prioritize buying chicken for Christmas and New Year celebrations,” he explained. Challenges Faced by Farmers Unfortunately, the reality fell short of expectations. Over 50% of the broilers produced for the holidays remained unsold due to the declining purchasing power of Nigerians. Families, struggling to meet basic needs, deprioritized poultry meat in favor of more affordable food options. “Poultry farmers are now grappling with unsold stock, which adds to their costs as they continue feeding the birds without corresponding sales,” Dr. Akpa revealed. This situation has left many farmers facing severe financial losses, with some contemplating shutting down their operations entirely. Impact on the Poultry Industry The poor sales during the holiday season have had devastating consequences for the poultry sector. The livelihoods of families who rely on small-scale poultry farming are being threatened, while confidence in the industry has taken a significant hit. Many farms are closing down due to unsustainable production costs and diminished demand. Dr. Akpa stressed that the cost of production, compounded by the economic hardship faced by consumers, has created a dire situation for the poultry industry. A Path Forward in 2025 Despite the challenges, Dr. Akpa remains hopeful. He emphasized the need for the government to prioritize the agricultural sector, particularly poultry farming, which employs over 25 million Nigerians directly and indirectly. “To revive the industry, there must be a focused effort on boosting the economy and addressing critical issues in agriculture,” Dr. Akpa suggested. He also called for policies that support nutrition and food security, highlighting the vital role of poultry in achieving these goals. Conclusion The struggles faced by Nigerian poultry farmers during the 2024 festive season highlight the urgent need for economic reforms and targeted interventions in the agricultural sector. Without swift action, the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians and the nation’s food security could be at risk. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
Nigeria still imports gasoline, despite being a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, according to the governors of the 36 states that make up the federation. This came as the governors voiced their shock at the ongoing crisis in the nation’s energy sector. This was said by Hope Uzodinma, the governor of Imo State and chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, or PGF, in an interview with reporters following the governors’ conference that began in Abuja on Wednesday. The governors invited Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, or NNPCL, to inform them of the steps being taken to address the affordability and accessibility of petroleum products in order to lessen the suffering of Nigerians, as the DAILY POST remembers. According to Uzodinma, “We need to support Dangote Refinery, the domestic answer the President just presented. In order to produce what we eat and consume what we produce, we need fix our refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. “Importing crude oil shouldn’t be our only option. Relying on petroleum product imports as an oil-producing nation when other OPEC members of our standing are already refining crude oil in that nation strikes me as abnormal in the first place. READ ALSO: FG Aims for 30,000MW by 2030, With Renewable Energy at the Front In addition to proposing that petroleum products be bought in naira, the governors said that local refinement would increase the nation’s economy and provide inhabitants with a wealth of new options. Additionally, they acknowledged that Nigerians were struggling with difficulty, deciding to collaborate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address issues such as banditry and abduction that the nation faces. We Love To Have You Back. Pease kindly Provide Us With Your Email.
