The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has lamented the closure of over 50 per cent of its farms in 2023 due to the challenges in the sector.

PAN chair in Lagos, Mojeed Iyiola, disclosed this in an interview on Thursday in Lagos.

Mr Iyiola said poultry farmers could not meet the growing demand for poultry produce due to the closure of most of its farms.

He said most poultry farms in the country closed down last year due to difficulties faced in the sector. We are currently unable to meet the demand for eggs due to the shortage of poultry farms. 

“Presently, we have a very low supply of eggs with growing demands. This is because nothing less than 50 per cent of poultry farms around the country have shut down. In fact, due to the shortage of supply, a crate of eggs sells for as high as N3,000 and above, even from the farm gate.

“We do not pray that the price keeps increasing because it is detrimental to the average consumer,” said Mr Iyiola.

Mr Iyiola said the sector would only prosper with continuous government interventions at all levels, especially in subsidising feed inputs.

“We hope to step up the supply of eggs if the cost of raw materials for bird feed is subsidised and available at the most affordable rate. This is the best solution for the sector at the moment.

“The Lagos state government, to be candid, is trying on their own part. They have been of great assistance to the sector in all our trials. They have provided feed inputs to poultry farmers, which have, to a minimal extent, cushioned the effect of production costs.

“Though poultry produce prices are still on the high side. We hope to start raising layers soon, and we believe in no distant time the government will respond to us positively,” the PAN chairman said. 

(NAN)