By
Aishat Omobolanle Sanni
The recently concluded festive period saw a dramatic increase in the cost of broiler birds, with prices ranging from ₦25,000 to ₦30,000 per chicken. This spike made it difficult for many households to afford chicken, a traditional centerpiece of festive meals. While consumers were quick to blame farmers for the high prices, a deeper examination of poultry farming reveals that farmers often work with slim profit margins. The prices they set are a reflection of the cumulative costs involved in rearing the birds. Below are some key factors contributing to these costs:
1. Stocking and Feed Costs
Many farmers begin stocking birds 3-4 months ahead of the festive season to ensure availability, but this significantly increases costs due to extended feeding periods. For instance, rearing 100 birds over a 4-month period requires approximately 50 bags of feed, compared to just 18 bags for a 6-week cycle. With the rising cost of feed, the longer rearing period has a direct impact on the final price of the birds.
2. Price of Day-Old Chicks
The cost of day-old chicks has skyrocketed from ₦1,300 to ₦2,100 per chick, further inflating production expenses. For a farmer purchasing 100 chicks, the initial investment is ₦210,000—excluding other operational costs, which further strain profitability.
3. Mortality Rates and Risks
Poultry farming is fraught with risks, including mortality due to disease or extended rearing periods. When broilers are kept beyond their optimal lifecycle (6-8 weeks), they often lose weight or die, leading to financial losses. To mitigate these risks, farmers factor mortality costs into the prices of surviving birds, making them more expensive for consumers.
4. Unanticipated Costs from Delayed Sales
Any unsold birds after the festive period impose additional feeding and maintenance costs on farmers. For instance, one farmer reported having 22 unsold birds worth over ₦300,000 after the season. To recover, the farmer had to allocate the birds to investors as part of their profits, significantly depleting capital.
The Challenges Farmers Face
Despite consumer criticism, poultry farming is riddled with challenges that undermine profitability:
i. Rising Feed Costs: Feed constitutes a major portion of production expenses, particularly for farmers extending rearing timelines.
ii. Market Pressure: Farmers face intense scrutiny for raising prices during peak demand, even though these prices reflect their actual costs.
iii. Seasonal Risks: Delayed sales after the festive period lead to financial losses and strain, as farmers must continue to care for unsold birds.
What the Government Can Do
To ensure chicken remains affordable during festive periods and make poultry farming more sustainable, the government can adopt the following measures:
i. Subsidizing Inputs
Provide subsidies for essential inputs like day-old chicks and poultry feed to lower production costs and improve profitability for farmers.
ii. Promoting Shorter Rearing Cycles
Encourage farmers to adopt 6-8 week rearing cycles for broilers, reducing feed costs and minimizing mortality risks. This can be achieved through training programs and access to affordable veterinary services.
iii. Structural Monitoring and Support
Establish monitoring systems to oversee poultry farming practices, ensuring farmers adopt best practices in stocking, feeding, and marketing.
iv. Price Regulation and Consumer Protection
Develop policies to regulate broiler prices during festive periods by incentivizing farmers to sell at more affordable rates during peak demand.
v. Market Access for Farmers
Facilitate reliable sales channels to reduce delayed sales and losses. This could include farmer cooperatives, government buy-back schemes, or public-private partnerships.
The high cost of broiler birds during the festive season is not a result of farmer greed but a reflection of systemic challenges in poultry farming. By addressing these issues through targeted interventions, the government can create a more sustainable ecosystem that benefits both farmers and consumers. This way, chicken can remain an integral part of festive celebrations for all households.
