By Samuel
The difficulty in procuring feed has been identified as one of the challenges bedeviling the poultry sector in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by Mr. Denison Tsekelor, a poultry farmer in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, this challenge has pushed so many poultry farmers out of business.
Tsekelor who identified maize as the major ingredient in bird feed added that it has since the ban on importation become scarce in circulation
He said a lot of local poultry farmers have given up on the trade already, due to the hike in the price of maize and day-old chicks.
The poultry farmer explained that 100 bags of feed-meal – the minimum possible to feed 500 birds – now amounts to over N300,000
He said, “How many farmers will be able to pool that amount for feeding alone”
“If you take a survey of poultry farms across the country, all you will meet are empty pens, except for a few that have extra cash to keep their farms running.”
Tsekelor called on the Federal Government to intervene in the situation and ensure that feeds are cheap and available.
He also said that farmers should be considered in the proposed N600 billion Federal Government intervention fund.
“We have been hearing of government interventions, so we hope it gets to poultry farmers this time,” he added.
