Amid escalating economic crisis defined principally by low purchasing power of the population, poultry farmers in Oyo State have expressed concern over the potential low chicken sales in the State and around the country this Christmas season.
Chairman, Livestock and Poultry Farmers Union (LPFU), Oyo State Chapter, Mr Josiah Adebola, who expressed his worries yesterday (Sunday, December 15) in a media chat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, attributed the likely decline in poultry sales to the increasing cost of poultry feeds, drugs and other related poultry items, all of which, he said, have combined to make the cost of an average chicken very high, thus affecting its demand.
Describing the situation as hurtful to the poultry and livestock business, the poultry association boss lamented that many farmers in the business have suspended poultry keeping due to the increasing cost of production.
“The few farmers, who are managing to move on with the business, are doing so under a tight situation and will be willing to recoup funds expended on their farms.
“So, there is no way the price of chicken will not go up, notwithstanding the economic hardship in the country.
“As a result of this hardship, many Nigerians may find it difficult to buy chicken at exorbitant prices.“Instead, they will likely embrace imported frozen chicken and turkey, not minding the health implications of such,” he said.
In light of the situation, Adebola has called on charity organisations, churches and philanthropists willing to donate chickens to the less privileged in society to patronise poultry farmers, while urging the government to formulate good policies to enhance the nation’s economic growth.
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