Rising Feed Costs Threaten Poultry and Livestock Farming in Three States

Farmers in Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa warn that rising feed costs, expensive day-old chicks and weak market prices are threatening their businesses and livelihoods. Feed accounts for 70 to 80 per cent of poultry production expenses, forcing some operators to cut production, sell at a loss or leave farming altogether. In Lokoja, poultry feed costs as much as N22,500 per bag and day-old chicks about N2,200 each, while egg sales often barely cover production costs. Farmers are calling for subsidised feed and inputs, affordable loans, local feed mills and stronger price regulation.