Nigeria’s poultry sector faces soybean scarcity and AI

After 2 years of no reported outbreaks in the country, Nigeria’s National Veterinary Research Institute has confirmed that avian influenza has resurfaced. The outbreak occurred in 2 backyard poultry farms of multiple species of ostriches, geese, turkeys, layers, and peacocks in Kano state. Thereafter, outbreaks have been confirmed in 2 commercial farms. Meanwhile, Nigeria faces a severe soybean shortage. A 100kg bag of soybeans has risen to N24,000 (US$ 60.93) from N12,000 (US$ 30.47) a year ago, reports Premium Times. Added to this dire situation for poultry farmers is the scarcity of this chicken feed ingredient in the country, which follows reports of a shortage of maize. According to Onallo Akpa, DG of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, many poultry farms are closing because of the high costs of feed. “It is affecting the industry negatively, as soybean and maize constitute almost 80% of raw materials in feed production, and now soybeans and maize are in short supply,” he ...