12/10/2024
Sustainable Egg Production in Nigeria: Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities on World Egg Day
By: Eric Adile
On World Egg Day, celebrated annually on the second Friday of October, the global community reflects on the role of eggs in promoting nutrition, health, and sustainable development. Eggs are among the most nutritious, affordable, and widely available sources of protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. In Nigeria, eggs have increasingly become a dietary staple, contributing to food security and improved public health outcomes.
For many families across the country, eggs are an accessible, low-cost source of high-quality protein, providing vital nutrients to support growth, immune function, and cognitive development, especially in children. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), eggs offer a complete nutrient profile, including Vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, zinc, and other essential micronutrients critical for a healthy diet. Furthermore, eggs contribute to reducing the risk of malnutrition, which remains a significant public health issue in Nigeria.
Despite the growing demand for eggs in Nigerian households, the poultry industry, which drives egg production, faces severe challenges that threaten its sustainability. These challenges range from poor government support to inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent policies, and rising production costs. To commemorate World Egg Day, this investigative report takes a comprehensive look at the state of egg production in Nigeria, outlining its importance to national nutrition and health while highlighting the challenges farmers face in ensuring a sustainable future for the sector.
Egg Production in Nigeria: A Statistical Overview
Nigeria has one of the largest poultry industries in Africa, with egg production playing a central role in the sector. The country is currently the largest egg producer in Africa and ranks among the top 20 producers globally. In 2022, Nigeria’s poultry sector produced an estimated 10.3 billion eggs annually, contributing significantly to both the economy and the nutritional needs of the population.
According to a report by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), the country has over 200 million birds, with layers accounting for 60% of the total. The industry directly employs over 3 million Nigerians, with indirect employment impacting several million more across the value chain, including feed producers, transporters, and retailers. The industry also contributes about 9% of Nigeria's agricultural GDP, making it a crucial component of the national economy.
However, these promising statistics mask a growing set of challenges that threaten the sustainability of egg production in the country. Inconsistent government policies, a lack of financial support, rising feed prices, and the absence of a national strategy for poultry development are among the issues plaguing the sector. Without immediate interventions, the continued growth of Nigeria’s egg production capacity could be in jeopardy.
The Importance of Eggs in Healthy Living
Eggs are often described as "nature's perfect food," offering a rich nutrient profile in a single, versatile package. The global emphasis on the role of eggs in healthy living has been reinforced by numerous studies that highlight their benefits.
1. Protein Source: Eggs are a complete protein source, containing all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own. For children, this protein is vital for muscle growth, repair, and overall development. In Nigeria, where protein-energy malnutrition is still prevalent, eggs provide an affordable and accessible means of meeting daily protein requirements.
2. Brain Development: Eggs contain choline, a critical nutrient for brain health and cognitive development. Pregnant women and young children, in particular, benefit from choline, which is associated with improved memory function and learning capacity. Given Nigeria’s youthful population and the increasing focus on early childhood development, eggs can play a significant role in fostering healthier, smarter generations.
3. Weight Management: Eggs are low in calories but highly filling, making them an ideal food for individuals aiming to maintain a healthy weight. Their inclusion in diets can reduce overall calorie intake, aiding in weight control, a critical issue in the growing battle against obesity in urban Nigeria.
4. Disease Prevention: Eggs provide various nutrients that contribute to heart health, eye health, and overall immunity. They contain antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which are linked to reducing the risk of age-related eye diseases, and their high-quality protein content can help control blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Challenges Facing Poultry Farmers in Nigeria
Despite the significant role of eggs in public health and nutrition, poultry farmers in Nigeria face a litany of challenges that hinder their ability to produce at sustainable levels. These challenges range from insufficient government policies to infrastructural deficits and the rising cost of production inputs. The absence of a well-coordinated national strategy has left farmers vulnerable to market fluctuations, making it difficult for them to scale up production and contribute more significantly to food security and economic development.
1. Lack of National Policy Support for the Poultry Sector
One of the biggest issues facing the egg production industry is the lack of a comprehensive national policy to guide the sector's growth and sustainability. While the government has intermittently provided interventions, such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), these efforts have been inconsistent and inadequate in addressing the systemic issues faced by poultry farmers.
The absence of a clear national poultry development plan means that farmers are often left to navigate a complex web of regulations, market inconsistencies, and economic volatility without meaningful government support. For instance, policies aimed at increasing local production of poultry feed have been erratic, resulting in volatile feed prices that severely impact profitability for egg producers. Without a stable and supportive policy environment, it becomes difficult for the sector to attract long-term investments or implement sustainable practices.
2. Rising Cost of Poultry Feed
Feed constitutes up to 70% of the cost of producing eggs, and in recent years, the price of poultry feed in Nigeria has skyrocketed. A key driver of this price increase is the reliance on imported feed ingredients, particularly maize and soybeans, which are subject to global market fluctuations. Domestic production of these critical feed ingredients is insufficient to meet the needs of the growing poultry industry.
In 2023, the price of maize, a core component of poultry feed, rose by more than 50%, creating a major cost burden for farmers. While some have advocated for increased local production of feed ingredients through improved agricultural practices, this shift will require government intervention in the form of subsidies, investments in research, and support for farmers engaged in feed crop production.
3. Access to Financing and Credit
Access to affordable financing is another major challenge for Nigerian poultry farmers. Despite the strategic importance of the poultry sector in meeting the country’s nutritional needs, many small and medium-scale farmers struggle to access loans or credit facilities that could enable them to expand their operations or adopt more efficient production techniques.
The lack of access to formal financial markets has forced many farmers to rely on informal sources of financing, which often come with high-interest rates and unfavorable repayment terms. Moreover, government-backed agricultural financing programs, such as the CBN’s Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme, have been criticized for being inaccessible to smallholder farmers due to bureaucratic bottlenecks, corruption, and the lack of adequate information dissemination.
4. Infrastructural Deficits
Poor infrastructure is another significant impediment to sustainable egg production in Nigeria. Farmers often face challenges with electricity supply, water availability, and transportation, all of which are critical to efficient poultry farming. The erratic power supply, for instance, affects farmers' ability to maintain optimal conditions for egg production, particularly in maintaining the appropriate temperature for layer birds.
In rural areas, where many small-scale poultry farms are located, poor road networks and lack of access to markets hinder the efficient distribution of eggs, resulting in post-production losses and reduced profitability for farmers. These infrastructural issues, coupled with inadequate government investment in rural development, have made it difficult for small and medium-scale farmers to scale up their production.
5. Poultry Diseases and Biosecurity Issues
Poultry farmers in Nigeria also face the constant threat of disease outbreaks, such as Avian Influenza (bird flu), Newcastle disease, and other poultry-related illnesses. Disease outbreaks can result in significant losses for farmers, particularly those without access to veterinary services or adequate biosecurity measures.
While there have been efforts by the government and international agencies to combat poultry diseases, these interventions are often reactive rather than preventive. The lack of a national biosecurity framework has left many farmers vulnerable to outbreaks, which can decimate entire flocks and lead to significant financial losses.
The Case for Upscaling Investment in Poultry Production
Given the immense nutritional, economic, and social benefits of egg production, there is an urgent need for Nigeria to upscale investment in the poultry sector. By prioritizing the growth and sustainability of egg production, the country can not only address food security challenges but also reduce its reliance on imported animal protein, stimulate rural development, and create jobs across the value chain.
1. Improving Access to Finance
One of the most effective ways to boost egg production is by improving access to finance for poultry farmers. The government, in collaboration with financial institutions, should develop tailored financing packages for poultry farmers, particularly small and medium-scale producers. These financing packages should offer low-interest rates, flexible repayment terms, and minimal bureaucratic hurdles to encourage more farmers to expand their operations.
In addition to traditional financing, innovative financial products such as agricultural insurance and crowdfunding platforms could provide alternative sources of capital for farmers while mitigating the risks associated with poultry farming.
2. Strengthening National Policy Frameworks
The Nigerian government must develop a comprehensive national policy for the poultry sector that addresses the current challenges and provides a clear roadmap for growth. This policy should focus on improving local production of feed ingredients, enhancing veterinary services, and providing incentives for farmers to adopt modern farming techniques.
Additionally, the government should consider implementing policies that encourage private sector investment in the poultry sector, such as tax breaks for poultry farm investments, subsidies for feed production, and incentives for adopting renewable energy solutions in poultry farming.
3. Investing in Infrastructure and Technology
Investments in rural infrastructure, such as improved road networks, electricity supply, and water systems, are critical to boosting egg production in Nigeria. The government must also prioritize investments in technology and innovation, such as automated poultry housing systems, to improve the efficiency and sustainability of egg production.
Adopting renewable energy solutions for poultry farms, such as solar-powered incubators and lighting systems, can help mitigate the challenges of erratic power supply while reducing production costs in the long run.
The Path Toward Sustainable Egg Production
As Nigeria celebrates World Egg Day, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the immense potential of the poultry sector to contribute to national nutrition, food security, and economic development. Eggs are a vital source of nutrition for millions of Nigerians, and the poultry industry holds the key to addressing the country’s protein deficit. However, without urgent and coordinated efforts to address the challenges facing poultry farmers, the sustainability of egg production in Nigeria remains at risk.
The government, private sector, and international partners must work together to develop a comprehensive strategy for the poultry sector, focused on improving access to finance, strengthening national policies, investing in infrastructure, and supporting the adoption of modern farming practices. By doing so, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of egg production, ensuring a healthier, more prosperous future for all.
Eric Adile Iroajugh is the Executive Vice Chairman, Alikwomobu Center for Sustainability and Participatory Development- Phone no: 08188675284 or Email: [email protected]
