The Poultry Association of Nigeria in Abuja says the poultry industry contributes more than 25 per cent to Nigeria’s agricultural GDP.

The association stated this in an interview on Friday in Abuja, commemorating World Egg Day, which is celebrated annually on the second Friday of October.

 Bello Ibrahim, a board member of PAN in Abuja, said the sub-sector not only contributes greatly to the agricultural GDP but also provides employment to more than 25 million Nigerians, either directly or indirectly.

According to him, this figure represents about 10 per cent of the nation’s total population.

“Currently, Nigeria is the largest egg producer in Africa, providing over 650 million tonnes of eggs annually,” Mr Ibrahim said.

He, however, noted that poultry farmers, especially smallholders who account for over 60 per cent of the sector, face several challenges, including high costs of feed and day-old chicks, poor access to finance, and inadequate government support.

Mr Ibrahim explained that addressing these challenges through government-backed interventions would boost egg and poultry production across the country.

He added that although the federal government’s policies had led to a reduction in the cost of maize, the drop had yet to reflect in feed prices for smallholder farmers.

“For anyone to feel the impact of the drop in maize prices, they need to have at least 8,000 layers to produce their own feed. This remains a major challenge for most farmers in the FCT, who make up about 60 per cent of poultry producers,” he said.

He also observed that large-scale producers determine market prices due to their access to cheaper feed production inputs, which puts small farmers at a disadvantage.

“If the cost of feed can reflect the current market reality, it will reduce the cost of production for small farmers and lead to lower egg prices for consumers,” he explained.

Mr Ibrahim said World Egg Day was aimed at promoting awareness about the nutritional and economic importance of eggs.

“Given the current economic situation, eggs remain the cheapest source of protein available. With between N150 and N200, anyone can buy an egg,” he said.

Former PAN chairman in Abuja, Chima Wilson, said, “Eggs may appear small, but they contain essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins A, E, and B-complex, which are crucial for healthy living.”

He urged governments at all levels to support poultry farmers by reducing the cost of production inputs, providing credit facilities, and creating access to markets.

Mr Wilson also appealed for tax reliefs and incentives for poultry farmers to sustain the industry’s growth and ensure food security.

(NAN)