Nigeria poultry farmers egg sales are plummeting as rising economic hardship and low purchasing power drive down consumer demand. The Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria raised the alarm during a courtesy visit to Governor Umar Namadi in Dutse, Jigawa State.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Mr. Hussaini Gumel, the state chairman, warned that the industry is on the verge of collapse. “Since the removal of fuel subsidy, our industry has been hit hard. Many Nigerians can no longer afford eggs, and our sales have plummeted,” he said.
Gumel explained that production costs have skyrocketed. Feed prices and other inputs have made it nearly impossible for farmers to stay afloat. “We’re struggling to keep our businesses running,” he added.
Poultry farmers in Jigawa face even greater challenges compared to other states. Gumel noted that feed is significantly cheaper in Plateau State than in Jigawa. This price gap has eroded the profit margins of local farmers.
The economic downturn has made it harder for consumers to afford even basic protein sources like eggs and chicken. Gumel pointed out that many people simply don’t have enough disposable income to support regular egg purchases.
“We have no market for our products,” he said. “People have no money, and it’s affecting our business badly.”
Another major challenge is the lack of cold storage. Many farmers have no refrigerators or cooling devices to preserve their eggs in hot weather. Gumel urged the government to help prevent post-harvest losses by providing preservation equipment.
The association also appealed for training and empowerment programs. Gumel stressed the need for support, especially for women involved in small-scale poultry farming. “Many women at home rely on poultry for income. We need training to improve our practices and productivity,” he said.
To help revive the industry, Gumel urged the government to include eggs in the national school feeding program. He argued that this move would stimulate demand, create a stable market, and help protect the poultry sector from total collapse.
In addition, he called on the governor to support egg producers directly. “We need intervention to cushion the effects of the economic crisis,” Gumel said, reminding the government that poultry farming creates jobs and sustains livelihoods in the state.
He also called for new policies to support the sector. Gumel promised to share data with the government to help shape policy and direct assistance where it’s needed most.
In response, Governor Namadi acknowledged the challenges facing poultry farmers. He assured the association of his administration’s support. “We’ll work together to find solutions,” the governor said.
Namadi pledged to address the high cost of poultry feed and explore ways to make it more affordable. He also promised to look into providing cold storage solutions and technical training, particularly for women farmers.
“The poultry industry provides employment and income for many of our people,” he said. “We must protect and grow it.”
Namadi expressed interest in partnering with private sector players to further support the industry. He committed to exploring innovative ways to improve farmer productivity and reduce input costs.
This plea from Nigeria poultry farmers comes at a time when millions of Nigerians are struggling to cope with the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal. The resulting price hikes have tightened household budgets, shrinking demand for food items, including eggs.
