Poultry farmers call for subsidies as cost of production soars
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate World Egg Day 2025, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, has raised an urgent call for government support to prevent what it describes as a looming crisis in the nation’s egg industry.
Speaking in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), PAN representatives decried the rising cost of poultry feed, day-old chicks, and veterinary inputs, which have made egg production increasingly unsustainable for local farmers. The situation, they warned, threatens the availability of one of the most affordable and nutritious sources of protein for Nigerian households.
Mrs. Yemi Egwudale, Auditor of PAN FCT and Managing Director of Yemi’s Integrated Farms, underscored the critical nutritional value of eggs, noting that two eggs daily could provide up to a quarter of the body’s required protein intake. She emphasised that, at between ₦150 and ₦250 per egg, it remains one of the most accessible and complete foods available to Nigerians, regardless of age or income level.
In alignment with this year’s theme, “Mighty Egg: Packed with Natural Nutrition,” Egwudale called on the federal government to revive and strengthen the school feeding programme, recommending that every pupil receive at least one egg per day. She argued that eggs’ nutrient density—containing high-quality proteins, fats, and healthy cholesterol—makes them essential for children’s growth, learning, and cognitive development.
However, she lamented that the current realities of poultry production are grim. The cost of a day-old chick now ranges from ₦1,600 to ₦1,900, while the total cost of rearing a layer to point-of-lay has surged to about ₦9,000. These costs, coupled with widespread insecurity and inadequate veterinary services, have pushed many farmers out of business or forced them to operate through proxies.
Egwudale appealed for urgent government subsidies on key inputs such as feed, vaccines, and chicks. She also called for low-interest credit facilities, grants, and partnerships with hatcheries and feed mills to help cut production costs and sustain the nation’s egg supply.
She added, “Government can partner with hatcheries, feed mills, and vaccine producers to cut production costs. This will make eggs more affordable and accessible to low-income Nigerians.”
Egwudale further urged authorities to prioritise security in farming communities, warning that without a safe environment for poultry operations, efforts to achieve food and nutrition security would be undermined.
Source: Punch
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The call by PAN-FCT highlights one of the most pressing issues confronting Nigeria’s poultry industry—rising input costs and systemic vulnerabilities that threaten the nation’s protein security. Eggs remain one of the most cost-effective, nutrient-rich foods, yet their affordability is now at risk due to structural inefficiencies and inflationary pressures.
- The feed crisis remains central to the industry’s struggles. With maize and soybean meal prices surging—key ingredients in poultry feed—production costs have become unbearable for small and medium-scale farmers. Addressing feed cost volatility through domestic grain production support, strategic grain reserves, and input subsidies is vital.
- The call for integrating eggs into school feeding programmes represents a practical nutrition policy. It not only boosts local egg demand but also improves child nutrition and learning outcomes. A single egg per pupil daily could stimulate national egg consumption by millions, creating market stability for producers.
- Public-private partnerships (PPPs) between government, hatcheries, feed mills, and vaccine manufacturers can effectively lower input costs through economies of scale. This approach would sustain local production while discouraging dependence on imported poultry products.
- Security and logistics challenges continue to undermine agricultural productivity. Strengthening farm security, rural infrastructure, and access to veterinary services is essential for stabilising both production and distribution chains.
In conclusion, the poultry sector stands at a crossroads—between decline and transformation. If the federal and state governments heed PAN’s call, targeted interventions could revitalise egg production, safeguard livelihoods, and sustain Nigeria’s food security goals. The egg, indeed, remains a mighty yet vulnerable symbol of the nation’s nutritional resilience—one that must be protected through deliberate policy and investment.
