FG Moves to End Poultry Supply Gaps, Tightens Oversight of Import Allocations

News in Brief:

—The government says unused poultry import allocations have contributed to shortages of day-old chicks and rising production costs.

—A proposed $5.6 million investment aims to expand local breeding capacity and reduce dependence on imported poultry stock.

The Federal Government has announced plans to strengthen monitoring of poultry import allocations as part of measures to tackle supply challenges, improve access to day-old chicks and support the expansion of Nigeria’s poultry industry.

The move follows concerns that some operators have not fully utilised their approved import quotas, contributing to shortages of essential poultry inputs, higher production costs and difficulties faced by farmers.

Government Links Import Gaps to Poultry Supply Challenges

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said government interventions in the poultry sector must produce clear results for farmers and consumers.

Speaking during a meeting with representatives of Valentine Chickens, including Managing Director Leon Gunter and National Operations Manager Samuel Adediji, the minister stressed the need for industry operators to deliver on approved opportunities.

He said poultry development remains important to national security, employment creation and improving livelihoods across the country.

Import Allocations to Be Tied to Performance

Maiha explained that industry reviews showed a significant portion of approved poultry import allocations had not been fully implemented.

According to him, the underuse of these allocations has contributed to recurring shortages of day-old chicks and increased costs for poultry producers.

The minister stated that future approvals would be closely monitored and connected to measurable performance outcomes to ensure that government policies translate into increased production.

As part of efforts to strengthen domestic poultry production, Valentine Chickens presented a proposal for a $5.6 million investment in grandparent stock production infrastructure.

The project, developed in partnership with poultry genetics company Aviagen, is expected to establish specialised breeding facilities and advanced biosecurity systems to improve local capacity.

The investment could reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported parent stock while strengthening the poultry value chain.

Focus on Long-Term Poultry Sector Growth

Gunter declared that the proposed project goes beyond importing day-old chicks. He describes it as an investment in genetic capacity that can support millions of locally produced birds.

The company executive explained that increased local breeding capacity would help create a more sustainable poultry industry and improve supply stability for farmers.

At full operation, the project can significantly expand Nigeria’s ability to produce poultry stock locally, supporting food security and reducing pressures caused by supply shortages.