How High cost of feed is killing poultries – Report

In Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, several poultry farmers and animal breeders have been forced to close their businesses due to the skyrocketing cost of feed. A survey conducted by NAN reveals that the increasing price of animal feeds is caused by a lack of cultivation due to security issues in the rural areas, where most of the residents have moved to urban regions.

Dr. Abubakar Umar-Bunza, a veterinarian in Kebbi, states that the costly feed is driving poultry farmers into bankruptcy, with some farms already closed. The removal of fuel subsidy has also contributed to the inflation in feed production prices. Maize accounts for approximately 55% of poultry feed, reaching up to N70,000 for a 100kg bag, while soya beans, a major ingredient, can cost over N90,000 per 100kg.

Factors like transport costs, fertilizer prices, exchange rates, competition for grains between humans and animals, and insecurity have further tightened the supply of feed. Transporting 1,200 bags of feed from Kano to Kebbi now costs between N1.2 million and N1.5 million, up from N300,000. Despite no regulatory body monitoring prices, feed prices have remained stagnant since 2025.

The high cost of feed weakens the birds' immunity, making them more susceptible to diseases. Farmers often resort to mixing feed with cheaper ingredients, which reduces egg production. The Commissioner for Animal Health, Husbandry, and Fisheries in Kebbi, Alhaji Kabiru Alaramma, is constructing a veterinary hospital that will serve as a referral and training center for small and large animal clinics, poultry and avian clinics, and a laboratory. The project aims to support livestock production and businesses in the state.