Over five hundred thousand birds in federal capital territory FCT have been lost to extreme heat weather condition, this is even as rising costs of feed, vaccine and medication for livestock are severely affecting livestock farming operations in Nigeria.
These factors have forced many livestock farmers especially poultry farmers to cut down production, closed down poultry farms and layoff workers in recent times.
Heat stress is one of the biggest challenges of poultry farming. It occurs mostly during periods of high temperatures, causing the death of birds. Apart from heat stress, Nigerian poultry industry faces other challenges, which include high cost of feed, inadequate veterinary services, policy issues, infrastructure deficiencies and lack of adequate marketing channels. To address these concerns and save the poultry subsector from collapse, poultry farmers want inclusion in government policies.
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The Poultry Association of Nigeria FCT chapter is particularly concerned about the scarcity and soaring prices of maize, a vital feed for birds, which is driving the sector towards collapse. The operators say this crisis poses serious threat to the advancement of the Nigerian poultry subsector and puts millions of jobs within the value chain at risk.
Consequently, these challenges have led to the increase in the prices of eggs and chicken hence the need for urgent government intervention to protect the viability of the industry and safeguard the livelihood of millions of Nigerians who depend on it for protein.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
