Poultry diversification will solve food insecurity – PANLAG
The Poultry Association of Nigeria, Lagos State has recommended diversification and efficiency measures to address the sector’s challenges which hamper food security and sustainability.
PANLAG chairman, Mojeed Iyiola called for collective action to safeguard the future of poultry farming during the association’s conference held on Wednesday in Lagos and themed; ‘Poultry Association of Nigeria, Lagos State on the Pathway to Food Security and Sustainability.’
Iyiola highlighted the significance of the poultry industry in protein production across West Africa and expressed concern over the recent setbacks the sector has faced, with many farms closing down due to rising insecurity, climate change, and economic instability.
“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 stakeholders’ collaboration to maintain food security in Lagos State and the broader Nigerian market.
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
Sogunle advocated for greater diversification in Nigeria’s poultry industry and criticised the over-reliance on broilers and layers in Nigeria’s poultry farming scene.
He urged farmers to explore other poultry breeds and even different farming ventures, such as fish farming, which have proven profitable 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 observed that most farmers were losing more than they earned due to a lack of proper stockmanship, which he explained as the ability to manage poultry based on observation and experience effectively.
“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.
He stressed that basic sensory observations, such as noticing changes in the birds’ behaviour or environment, could save farmers significant losses.
“Stockmanship is key to managing your business and staying afloat in this industry,” he added.
