The Oyo State Government has initiated moves to address the rising cost of day old chicks by convening a high level meeting with poultry farmers, hatchery operators and other key players in the industry.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Ibadan, the development comes amid growing concerns over the impact of soaring prices on farmers’ profitability and food security.
He explained that the meeting was aimed at identifying practical and sustainable solutions to the recurring increase in prices.
Olaleye lamented that despite government interventions and investments in the agricultural sector, the cost of day old chicks has continued to rise, placing heavy financial pressure on poultry farmers and affecting overall food production.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the poultry industry as a key driver of food security and economic growth.
The commissioner urged hatchery operators and marketers to consider reviewing their prices downward to support government efforts at boosting local poultry production, stabilising the market and making chicken and eggs more affordable for residents.
In their separate remarks, the Vice Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (Oyo State Chapter), Mr. Kayode Okunowo, and the Vice Chairman of hatchery stakeholders, Rev. Tunde Owolabi, commended the initiative.
They called for sustained dialogue, increased public awareness on the nutritional and economic benefits of poultry consumption, and supportive measures to ease the financial burden facing operators across the value chain. Representatives of major agribusiness firms were also in attendance at the meeting.
