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Collaborative approaches to revitalising Nigeria’s Livestock Industry
Nigeria’s struggle to feed its population, as revealed by PWC research and Obikanye, stems from low agricultural productivity. This highlights the critical need for sustainable feed and fodder production to strengthen the livestock industry, with a focus on efficient land use and innovative fodder technologies.
To address this, Nigeria must foster strategic alliances to boost feed and fodder production. Collaborative efforts are crucial for ensuring the growth and sustainability of the livestock sector.
Due to the high cost of raising and feeding livestock, as well as other discouraging factors, many farmers are losing interest in livestock farming.
This trend is reflected in the high cost of livestock products, which prevents farmers from meeting market demands, protecting their investments, and making profits. The public, in turn, is constantly affected by soaring livestock prices in the marketplace.
The limited participation in the feed industry and the government’s failure to implement policies that could have accelerated the sector’s growth and ensured support for its stakeholders may be the missing piece in addressing this challenge.
To ensure the prosperity of the livestock feed industry and encourage more participation, it is imperative for farmers and others involved in livestock production to receive fair prices for their produce. Additionally, there is a need to encourage careers in the livestock feed sector, as this could lower the cost of poultry products in the nation.
The necessity of exercising control in Livestock Supply
The feed supply to Nigeria’s poultry sector is under strain, with local chicken producers being forced to close their businesses due to skyrocketing feed costs. This alarming trend has been attributed to the significant rise in production expenses, making it unsustainable for many farmers to continue operations and meet demand.
The prices of eggs and poultry products have risen alongside feed costs in many Nigerian states. Unfortunately, many consumers are opting out of buying eggs and other poultry products because their incomes are not increasing proportionately.
Consequently, the poultry business is becoming a high-risk endeavour, with only those capable of weathering these challenges able to remain in operation.
Despite this situation, producers are struggling to retain profit margins. With poultry products becoming less affordable, farmers are being forced to scale back operations or shut down entirely, as commercial sustainability remains elusive.
The ongoing rise in feed prices has far-reaching consequences, including mismatches in supply and demand, product substitution, diversification into other agricultural activities, and business downsizing.
Insufficient protein consumption, particularly among children, could result in malnutrition and impaired cognitive development.
While consumers typically bear the cost of market fluctuations, the presence of adulterated feeds in the market exacerbates the problem. These substandard feeds affect breeding and contribute to livestock deaths.
To ensure a steady supply of quality poultry products, it is essential to improve feed quality, maintain standards, and ensure profitability for businesses. Feeds should be disease-free, properly stored, and safeguarded against transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).
Effective feed regulations must prioritise the health of animals and the public, ensuring that animal feed is free from disease, pests, and spoilage. Proper transportation of feed is also critical to prevent damage and boost productivity.
Farmers must be equipped with the knowledge to secure the nation’s livestock industry, supported by ongoing consultations between the feed industry and the farming community.
Five easy steps to lower price of animal feed
1. Vertical Integration: Farmers can invest in milling equipment or cultivate their own feed crops, such as maize or soybeans, to reduce reliance on commercial feed and increase efficiency.
2. Alternative Feed Sources: Research into cost-effective feed alternatives with comparable nutritional content should be intensified.
3. Supply Chain Optimisation: Ensuring farmers have consistent access to feed through an efficient supply chain is vital.
4. Cooperative Strategies: Farmers can adopt horizontal tactics, such as contract farming, cooperative purchasing, and sourcing alternative feed ingredients, to spread risks and benefit from economies of scale.
5. Government Support: Authorities must provide funding, training, and other support to help farmers adopt sustainable practices.
Efforts should also focus on developing domestic feed production to reduce reliance on imported ingredients. Hydroponics, for example, offers a soilless method for growing fodder using nutrient solutions, while insect farming provides a protein-rich option for poultry feed.
Farmers can also grow the necessary components for making feed or silage as an alternative to purchasing expensive ingredients. These innovative strategies can help mitigate rising feed costs, ensuring the viability of Nigeria’s livestock industry.
Michael Adedotun Oke,
Project Facilitator, Talent Upgrade Global Concept, Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Plot 232 Kaida Road, Old Kutunku, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria
maof2020@gmail.com
+23408027142077
