Poultry Farmers Decry Prices Of Feeds

Some poultry farmers in Port Harcourt have decried the continued rise in the prices of feeds in the market.
They noted that the situation could lead to low productivity, shortage of poultry products and dwindling fortunes for dealers.
They also appealed to the State and Federal Governments and other relevant agencies to take urgent steps to reverse the situation before it gets out of hand.
A poultry farmer in Iwofe, Mrs Anne Chukwudi, expressed worry over the development, saying it had affected the poultry business in the area negatively.
She said at the present, 25kg of feeds sells at between N11,500 and N12,000, depending on the brand, as against N8, 000 in September.
She also expressed concern that a day-old chick, which sold for N500 in September, now goes for about N1,300.
In his contribution, a fish farmer, Mr Moses Ajero, said  the high cost of feeds not withstanding, fishes eat themselves if they are under-fed or hungry.
He noted that all these are setbacks experienced in the cause of training and maturing these fishes.
He emphasised the need for government to act fast in reducing the burdens on the farmers, adding that if drastic steps are not taken, “the loses would be much during the Christmas season”.
Ajero also reiterated that the production cost of each fish go beyond the market price, making it difficult for farmers to make gains.
Also, another poultry farmer, Mrs Gold Uzochi said there is  urgent need for government’s  intervention  to bring down the prices of feeds to boost production and availability of poultry products.
Uzochi said dealers in poultry products might be compelled to quit the business, if the market situations of feeds remained as it is now.
She noted that agriculture remains the major way out of hunger and diversification from oil dependent economy, adding that the sector deserves more attention to boost the economy.
“If government is serious about food security and employment creation, then playing with the sector becomes deadly,” she said.

By; Lilian Peters