In Nigeria, it is quite
traditional to have various regimes of government introduce one agricultural program or the other. Programs such as the Operation Feed the Nation introduced by General Olusegun Obasanjo’s (rtd) regime. The Green Revolution by Alhaji Shehu Shagari at the federal level, and the School-To-Land Program in Rivers State by Police Commissioner Fidelis Oyakhilome (as he was then called).
All these programs at different points of their existence, put smile on many faces of Nigerians as the labour market became depopulated by their introduction, and food placed on tables in many homes. It was all thanks to the various regimes that made possible such food- providing programs.
However, these laudable agricultural programs, against all expectations, fizzled out one after the other hence redirecting the path of the workers back to the streets. Too bad a story!
Nevertheless, in the face of obvious failure on the part of the government, who by all standards appears to have what it takes to take agriculture in Nigeria to the next level.
It is still common to see a retiree contemplate agriculture as a fallback after years of active service to both God and humanity. The reason is simple, agriculture plays a leading role among industries in the economic sector. Aside this fact, agriculture can be ventured into, in any magnitude that one’s finance can carry as it is so vast that an interested person can settle for any type so long as he has the know-how.
However, much as it is quite easy to think and undertake agricultural ventures of interest, one major challenge that had beaten all proffered solutions had been that of sustainability. Many agricultural projects in Nigeria, whether undertaken by the government or private individuals had always suffered abandonment along the line for reasons researchers are yet to unravel.
Suspicions are sometime hinged on finance, managerial lapses and fraud. While the aforementioned could be suspected for the failure of government agricultural projects. It is considered that no private individual venturing into any project of interest would contemplate fraudulent traits against himself, hence, experts posit that the problem of the individual farmer could either be blamed on poor financial status and or on managerial lapses.
The poultry business appears to be the worst hit in this regard, probably because the period between the cultivation and harvest seems short and so prospective investors, oblivious of the intricacies of the business, jump into it, without first counting the cost of commitment. The result too is that when the farm tools become so hot for the handler, who does not know what to do to cushion the effect of the hotness, he lets go the tools half way and the same old tune is sung again.
Although the picture of the poultry business is always painted as one that carries the potential of creating enormous wealth in a very short while, which ofcourse may not be in contention, it is important to let every potential investor know that while the poultry industry has all it takes to catapult one to an enviable financial height, it also carries the potential of crippling one’s financial stand if caution is not applied.
Sustainability of the poultry farm therefore, must form part of the farmer’s slogan, at least, for its place as the main supplier of animal protein for human consumption, which has made its role among agricultural industries very strategic in many parts of the world.
Like every other agricultural venture, the poultry farming is encumbered with its own challenge which knowledge, a prospective investor must acquaint himself with before making the business a life income earner of course a farmer who is fore-armed with the knowledge of anticipated challenges of his field of endeavour, is always ready to deal with them squarely when they become visible hence reducing the impact on the eventual products.
Finance, no doubt has limited many poultry farmers especially in Rivers State from making their marks in the industry, thus the translation is that there is no serious farmer in the state and that explains while residents of the state depend largely on product s from outside the state hence whenever the inflow from outside the state becomes in short supply, the impact is seriously felt in every quarters. The demand for animal protein in the state has gone beyond what the capacity of the available farm can provide, therefore, expansion of the industry in the state is the only solution but how possible is the expansion in the face of the financial reality in our country?
Again, lack of the knowledge of what to do is the bane of every endeavour when the knowledge of what the birds need at a particular point in time is lacking. What then is the guarantee that they are being given the required nutrients, medication and general attention?
Every year ending the farmer in Rivers State complains of serious drop in production which of course is not due to sales of productive layer birds, No! But due largely to heat which has been diagnosed by experts to constitute an acute or chronic stress in poultry production. This condition is not without an antidote. Unfortunately, “my people perish for lack of knowledge”.
I think the farmer in Rivers State can actually make a headway if given the needed support by the government through the provision of financial assistance and technical advice.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi