Livestock sellers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concern over the high cost of livestock, attributing the increase in prices to transportation, cost of feed and insecurity.

The traders in various Markets in the FCT, who spoke to journalists on Sunday, expressed concern over the high cost of living.

Kadiri Musa, a meat seller in Karu Market, said the cost of cows and rams increased daily, adding, “We sold just one ram at N1 million this period; this has never happened in this market since I started the business.”

Idris Mohammad, another seller, said, “A ram that we sold between N50,000 to N60,000 in 2023 and 2024 is now being sold between N80,000 and N90,000 this year, and those sold at N70,000 to N80,000 was now sold for N150,000 to N200,000.

“For cows, there are some we are selling at N500,000, a million naira, N1.2 and above,” he said.

Tanko Bello, also a livestock dealer in Nyanya Market, attributed the price hike to the high cost of transportation and the high inflation rate.

He said that a few years ago, transporting livestock per lorry from Jigawa, Katsina, Taraba, and other northern parts of the country to Abuja cost about N200,000 to N300,000.

“But now, the transportation costs between N500,000 to N600,000,” he said, acknowledging that criminal activities and cattle rustling also affected livestock availability and prices.

Mohammed Yusuf, a 45-year-old butcher at Nyanya market who sells live chickens, lamented low patronage. He attributed the high prices to increased feed costs and transportation expenses.

Funmilayo Ayoola, a poultry farmer in the Jikwoyi area of the FCT, said poultry farming was profitable but has suffered setbacks as the price of bird feed increased daily.

Also, Joshua Igwe, another poultry farmer at Karu, said the cost of chicken feed was high, ranging from N15,000 to N20,000 per 50kg bag.

He said, “A lot of farmers are experiencing low patronage, especially during this period. People are really managing, and some families don’t even bother to buy chicken because of the constant increase of the price.”

Bobade Akindele, a veterinarian, said the cost of drugs for the birds was also a challenge to the farmers, who are forced to use organic methods like bitter leaves and pawpaw leaves to treat diseases.

Mr Akindele urged farmers and relevant stakeholders to intervene and assist in finding a lasting solution to the challenges.

He encouraged the government to promote local production of feed ingredients, such as maize and soybeans, through initiatives like subsidies, credit facilities and extension services.

Thomas Adedeji, a livestock expert, said the increasing price of ingredients such as maize, soybean meal and other grains primarily drove the high cost of chicken and bird feed.

“This is largely due to the widespread use of maize for ethanol production, leading to competition between livestock and humans for these essential ingredients.

“To control the high cost of living, particularly in relation to poultry feed, several strategies can be employed, which involve improving feed management,” he said.

A kilo of cow and goat meat was sold for N7,000 in Karu, Nyanya and Mararaba Markets, while soft chicken was sold for N5,000 and hard chicken for N6,000.

A kilogramme of hard and soft turkey was sold for between N7,000 and N8,000.

A carton of chicken was sold between N60,000 and N65,000 in Nyanya and Jikowyi cold rooms.

(NAN)