The Poultry Association of Nigeria, Lagos State has urged for diversification and efficiency measures to address ongoing challenges in the poultry sector that threaten food security and sustainability.
The PANLAG chairman Mojeed Iyiola, during a conference held on Wednesday in Lagos, themed “Poultry Association of Nigeria, Lagos State on the Pathway to Food Security and Sustainability,” emphasized the need for collective action to secure the future of poultry farming in the region, according to The Punch.
Iyiola emphasized the critical role of the poultry industry in protein production across West Africa, while expressing concern over recent setbacks the sector has encountered.
He noted that many farms have been forced to close due to rising insecurity, climate change, and economic instability, underscoring the urgent need for strategic measures to ensure the industry’s resilience and sustainability.
“The industry is experiencing a retrogressive trend in production, with farms shutting down daily. This is a wake-up call for us all,” Iyiola stated.
He called for innovation and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure food security in Lagos State and the wider Nigerian market.
Iyiola stressed that cooperative efforts are essential for addressing the challenges facing the poultry sector and enhancing its overall sustainability.
The conference featured presentations from industry experts, including Professor Olajide Sogunle, who represented the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Olusola Kehinde.
Their insights contributed to discussions on strategies for overcoming challenges in the poultry sector and enhancing food security.
Sogunle advocated for greater diversification within Nigeria’s poultry industry, criticizing the over-reliance on broilers and layers in the country’s poultry farming.
He emphasized the need to explore alternative poultry products to strengthen the sector and enhance its resilience.
He urged farmers to explore alternative poultry breeds and consider diversifying into different farming ventures, such as fish farming, which have shown profitability in other countries.
“Farmers in Nigeria tend to follow trends instead of exploring new opportunities. Diversification is key to the growth of the poultry sector,” Sogunle said.
He also pointed out that many farmers ignore research from universities that could help reduce production costs, particularly using alternative feed resources.
“We are doing our best to share ideas from our research, but farmers need to be more open to innovation,” he added.
Further, a presentation from the General Manager of Sales and Marketing at Adamore Nigeria Ltd, Dr James Wageti, urged poultry farmers to focus on farm efficiency as a survival strategy in difficult times.
Wageti noted that many farmers were losing more than they earned due to inadequate stockmanship, which he defined as the effective management of poultry through observation and experience.
“Farmers must develop the skill of ‘listening’ to their birds,” Wageti said, explaining that birds often show signs of distress or illness that go unnoticed by inexperienced farmers.
