Cross River Farmers Warn High Feed Costs Are Threatening Poultry Production as Government Promises Support

By Simpson Global Media News Desk

Poultry farmers in Cross River State have raised concerns over the rising cost of animal feed, flooding and limited access to finance, warning that mounting production expenses are putting pressure on egg supplies, farm profitability and the affordability of an important source of dietary protein.

The concerns were highlighted on Friday, October 9, 2026, during activities marking World Egg Day in Calabar, where the state government renewed its call for increased investment in poultry production and outlined measures intended to strengthen the livestock value chain.

The chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Cross River State chapter, Engineer Umagu Valentine, said feed accounts for more than 60 per cent of poultry production costs. He warned that the expense was making it increasingly difficult for farmers to sustain operations, pay workers and maintain a steady supply of eggs.

The state government, meanwhile, pledged continued support for the sector through improved access to credit, veterinary services, vaccination, farmer training, hatchery development and partnerships to strengthen feed production.

The event was organised under the theme, “Protein that Powers and Protects,” drawing attention to the nutritional value of eggs and the role poultry farming plays in food security, employment and rural livelihoods.

The discussions also highlighted a central challenge facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector: increasing food production requires not only more farms and livestock, but also affordable inputs, reliable infrastructure, accessible finance and markets that enable farmers to recover their costs.

Feed costs remain the biggest pressure on farmers

Feed is one of the most important recurring expenses in commercial poultry farming because birds require regular, balanced nutrition to grow, remain healthy and produce eggs consistently.

When feed prices rise, farmers face difficult choices. They may have to spend more money to maintain their existing flocks, reduce the number of birds they keep, postpone expansion or increase the prices at which they sell their products.

According to Umagu, feed accounts for over 60 per cent of poultry production costs in Cross River State.

This means changes in feed prices can have a substantial effect on the financial position of poultry businesses, particularly small and medium-sized farms operating with limited working capital.

Farmers must also pay for day-old chicks or replacement birds, vaccines, veterinary care, electricity, water, labour, housing and transportation. For egg producers, these expenses continue throughout the productive life of their laying hens.

When income from egg sales does not cover the combined cost of production, a farm can quickly move from making a profit to operating at a loss.

The situation is particularly difficult for farmers who lack affordable credit. Without sufficient working capital, they may be unable to purchase feed in bulk or maintain adequate supplies during periods of price increases.

Some farmers may respond by reducing flock sizes, but this can lower the volume of eggs available to the market. Others may attempt to pass higher costs on to consumers, potentially making eggs less affordable for households.

The challenge is therefore not limited to poultry farmers. It also affects consumers, traders, restaurants and businesses that depend on a reliable supply of eggs.

Why affordable eggs matter for food security

Eggs provide protein and several essential nutrients, making them an important food for households seeking to maintain a balanced diet.

They are used in homes, schools, restaurants, bakeries and food-processing businesses. Their versatility also makes them useful across a wide range of meals and food products.

For many consumers, however, affordability determines how frequently eggs can be included in household diets.

When production costs increase and selling prices rise, low-income families may reduce purchases or turn to alternatives that may not provide the same combination of nutrients, convenience and price.

The impact can be especially significant for children, whose nutritional needs include sufficient protein and essential micronutrients for growth and development.

At the Calabar event, Cross River State Commissioner for Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries Development, Chief Dr Francis Edet Ekpenyong, described eggs as an affordable source of high-quality protein and highlighted their contribution to nutrition, physical development and food security.

He called for greater investment in poultry production, saying a stronger industry could improve nutrition, create jobs and support economic growth.

However, making eggs consistently affordable requires a balance between the interests of consumers and the financial sustainability of producers.

If prices are too low to cover production expenses, farmers may cut output or leave the business. If prices rise beyond what consumers can afford, demand can weaken, leaving producers with unsold eggs and reduced income.

The long-term solution therefore requires measures that improve productivity and reduce avoidable costs throughout the supply chain.

Government outlines poultry-sector interventions

The Cross River State Government identified several areas in which it intends to strengthen poultry production.

These include support for hatcheries and feed mills through public-private partnerships, improved access to credit, stronger veterinary and vaccination services, farmer training and better market connections through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support programme, commonly known as L-PRES.

Each intervention addresses a different part of the poultry value chain.

Hatcheries supply chicks to farmers, making their reliability and production capacity important to the growth of poultry businesses. Feed mills manufacture the feed needed to sustain birds through different stages of development.

Access to credit can help farmers purchase inputs and invest in equipment without relying entirely on money generated from immediate sales.

Veterinary services and vaccination help prevent, detect and manage diseases that can reduce production or cause severe losses. Training can improve farmers’ knowledge of feeding, housing, flock management and biosecurity.

Market connections can help producers reach buyers more efficiently and reduce difficulties associated with selling their output.

The commissioner stressed that the government wanted to encourage more women and young people to participate in poultry production.

For those groups, access to training and finance can be particularly important because starting a poultry enterprise requires capital, technical knowledge and the ability to manage ongoing expenses.

The state’s commitments provide a framework for possible improvements, but their impact will depend on implementation, the resources made available and the number of farmers who can access the support.

The government has not, in the announcement covered here, specified a new funding total or a timetable for delivering every intervention discussed at the World Egg Day event.

Feed mills and local raw materials

Expanding feed production could help address one of the most significant cost pressures identified by poultry farmers.

Poultry feed is commonly formulated from ingredients such as maize, soybean meal, grains, protein sources, vitamins and minerals. Prices can be affected by agricultural output, transport costs, processing expenses and competition for raw materials.

When the ingredients used by feed manufacturers become expensive or difficult to obtain, the cost can be passed on to poultry farmers.

Local production of feed ingredients, improved storage and more efficient transportation could help reduce some of these pressures, although results would depend on availability, quality and market conditions.

Farmers also need feed that meets the nutritional requirements of their birds. Simply choosing the cheapest product can be counterproductive if poor-quality feed results in slower growth, lower egg production or health problems.

The challenge is to make nutritionally adequate feed more affordable without compromising productivity.

Public-private partnerships involving feed manufacturers, farmers and agricultural suppliers could help improve access to inputs and encourage investment in production capacity.

However, feed mills need reliable supplies of raw materials, dependable energy and efficient logistics to operate sustainably.

If these supporting conditions are weak, additional production facilities alone may not deliver lower prices.

The state government’s stated interest in supporting feed mills could therefore be important if it leads to practical investment, stronger supply arrangements and greater access for farmers.

Flooding adds to the risks facing poultry farms

Umagu also identified flooding as one of the challenges confronting poultry producers.

Flooding can damage farm buildings, disrupt access roads, contaminate water sources and interrupt the delivery of feed and other essential supplies.

Where poultry housing is flooded or becomes excessively damp, birds may face additional health risks. Wet conditions can also affect litter quality and make farm hygiene more difficult to maintain.

For producers operating close to rivers, drainage channels or low-lying land, extreme rainfall can create risks to both livestock and infrastructure.

Even when a poultry house is not directly flooded, damaged roads or disrupted transport networks can make it difficult to move feed to farms and eggs to buyers.

Eggs are fragile products that require careful handling. Delays, poor packaging and rough transportation can result in breakages and financial losses.

Farmers may therefore need better drainage, suitable farm locations, raised or protected storage facilities and contingency plans for severe weather.

Weather information and practical guidance can also help producers prepare for periods of heavy rainfall.

These measures require planning and investment, which may be difficult for smaller operators without access to affordable finance.

The government’s broader support for farmer training and agricultural services could help improve preparedness, but farmers will also need infrastructure and technical advice suited to local conditions.

Veterinary services and disease prevention

Poultry diseases can cause significant losses by reducing egg production, slowing bird growth or increasing mortality.

Preventive care is therefore a critical part of maintaining a productive flock.

The Cross River State Government identified improved veterinary services and vaccination as important components of its support for the sector.

Veterinary access can help farmers develop appropriate vaccination schedules, identify signs of illness and obtain guidance when unusual deaths or changes in production occur.

Biosecurity is equally important. It involves measures designed to reduce the introduction and spread of disease within a farm.

These measures can include controlling visitors, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, managing the movement of birds, maintaining suitable housing conditions and separating sick animals where appropriate.

Farmers should work with qualified veterinary professionals to develop practices suitable for their production systems and local disease risks.

Small farms may find it difficult to pay for veterinary support or purchase all the necessary equipment and supplies. Training and accessible animal-health services can help close some of these gaps.

Preventing disease can also reduce avoidable costs because an outbreak may require treatment, additional labour, disposal of affected birds and temporary restrictions on movement.

The state government’s commitment to strengthening veterinary and vaccination services will be important if it translates into consistent, accessible support across poultry-producing communities.

Financing remains essential for small and medium-sized farms

Poultry production requires repeated spending before all the income from a production cycle is received.

Farmers must purchase feed, maintain housing, pay workers and cover veterinary expenses. Egg producers also need to maintain laying hens throughout their productive period, even when market prices fluctuate.

For a farm with limited savings, a sudden increase in feed prices can create a cash-flow problem.

Access to credit may help bridge the gap between expenses and revenue, allowing farmers to maintain production rather than reduce flock sizes whenever input costs rise.

However, financing must be structured around the realities of agricultural businesses.

Repayment schedules that demand money before a farm has generated sufficient income can create additional pressure. High borrowing costs can also eliminate the profit a farmer hoped to earn from expanding production.

Appropriate agricultural finance should consider production cycles, expected revenue, disease risks and market volatility.

Farmers may also benefit from cooperative purchasing arrangements that allow members to negotiate with suppliers, share transport costs or buy inputs in larger quantities.

Such arrangements require trust, reliable management and clear financial records, but they can help smaller producers improve their bargaining position.

The government’s stated intention to improve access to credit is therefore a relevant response to the concerns raised by the Poultry Association.

The next question is how the support will be delivered, which farmers will qualify and whether the terms will be affordable enough to make a meaningful difference.

The importance of market access

Even when farmers produce eggs efficiently, they need reliable routes to market.

Producers may sell directly to consumers, traders, retailers, restaurants, hotels, institutions or distributors. Each route involves different costs, quantities and payment arrangements.

Poor roads and transport delays can increase operating expenses and expose eggs to damage. Limited access to storage and suitable packaging can further reduce the amount of produce that reaches consumers in good condition.

Farmers who depend on a small number of buyers may also have limited bargaining power, particularly when many producers are trying to sell at the same time.

Improved market linkages can help connect producers with a wider range of customers and create more predictable sales opportunities.

The state government said it would use L-PRES-related market linkages as part of efforts to strengthen the livestock value chain.

For such measures to work, farmers need practical information about buyers, demand, prices, quality requirements and delivery arrangements.

Stronger relationships between producers and commercial buyers could also encourage more consistent production planning.

However, increasing production without improving market access can create new problems if farmers are unable to sell their eggs at prices that cover costs.

Market development and production support should therefore proceed together.

Women and young people in poultry farming

The commissioner’s call for more women and young people to enter poultry production reflects the sector’s potential to support livelihoods and small-business development.

Poultry farming can operate at different scales, from small household enterprises to commercial farms supplying large markets.

This range creates opportunities for entrepreneurs with different levels of capital, provided they have access to suitable training, reliable inputs and viable markets.

Women already participate in many agricultural activities, including livestock management, processing, trading and food distribution. Better access to finance and business support could help more women establish or expand poultry enterprises.

Young people may also bring opportunities for innovation in farm management, record-keeping, digital marketing and supply-chain coordination.

But encouraging participation requires more than awareness campaigns.

New entrants need realistic business plans, an understanding of operating costs, technical guidance and sufficient working capital. They must also be able to assess market demand before investing in birds, housing and equipment.

Training should explain how to calculate feed requirements, estimate production expenses, manage disease risks and determine whether expected selling prices are likely to cover costs.

Access to mentors and established producers can help new farmers understand the practical challenges of running an enterprise.

If government support includes these elements, it could contribute to more sustainable agricultural businesses rather than simply increasing the number of people entering the sector.

Schools receive nutrition education

As part of the World Egg Day activities, the Cross River State Ministry of Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries Development visited five schools in Calabar to raise awareness of the nutritional value of eggs.

The outreach included an interactive session at the National Council of Women Societies School, where pupils discussed the role of eggs in healthy growth and development.

The programme was intended to promote nutrition awareness among children and encourage healthy eating habits.

School-based nutrition education can help children understand the importance of varied diets and the contribution of different foods to their nutritional needs.

However, awareness must be accompanied by affordability and availability. Families cannot consistently provide foods they cannot afford or access.

That makes the connection between nutrition education and agricultural productivity particularly important.

A stronger domestic poultry industry could support the availability of eggs, while effective distribution and competition could help improve access for households.

At the same time, producers need conditions that allow them to remain financially viable.

The school outreach therefore formed part of a wider discussion about connecting food production, nutrition and livelihoods.

What farmers and consumers should watch

The World Egg Day discussions have placed several practical issues before state authorities and the poultry industry.

For farmers, the priorities include access to affordable feed, working capital, veterinary services, reliable transport and markets where products can be sold at sustainable prices.

For consumers, the main concern is whether egg supplies can remain dependable and prices affordable.

For government, the challenge is to translate commitments into effective support while ensuring that resources reach producers who need them.

The planned support for hatcheries, feed mills, credit, vaccination and training could address important constraints, but each intervention will require clear implementation arrangements.

Farmers will need to know how to access available programmes, what conditions apply and whether support will arrive in time to meet their operational needs.

Monitoring will also be necessary to determine whether the interventions improve productivity, reduce avoidable losses and strengthen the financial position of poultry businesses.

No single measure is likely to resolve all the challenges. Feed prices, weather conditions, disease risks, financing and market access are interconnected, and improvements in one area may be limited if other constraints remain unresolved.

A coordinated approach involving government, farmers, researchers, financial institutions and private-sector businesses will therefore be important.

A critical moment for poultry production

The concerns raised in Calabar illustrate the pressures facing poultry farmers as Nigeria seeks to strengthen food security and improve access to nutritious foods.

Egg production can support household nutrition, small-business development and employment, but these benefits depend on farms being able to operate sustainably.

When feed consumes a large share of production expenses, even relatively small changes in input prices can have serious consequences for profitability.

Flooding, inadequate finance and limited access to veterinary services can add further risks.

The Cross River State Government has outlined several areas in which it intends to support the sector, including hatchery and feed-mill development, credit, vaccination, training and market access.

The effectiveness of these measures will depend on their delivery and whether farmers across the state can benefit from them.

For consumers, a stronger poultry sector could help maintain supplies of eggs and other poultry products. For farmers, it could create opportunities to expand production and improve livelihoods.

The immediate task is to turn the commitments announced during World Egg Day into practical improvements that address the costs and risks faced by producers.

Ultimately, strengthening poultry farming is not only an agricultural objective. It is also connected to food affordability, nutrition, jobs and the resilience of local communities.

The message from Cross River’s farmers is clear: if Nigeria wants a reliable supply of eggs, producers must be able to afford the inputs and services required to keep their farms operating.