Abia Farmers Target 20,000 Tonnes of Soybean to Reduce Poultry Feed Costs

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, in Abia State is targeting annual soybean production of 20,000 tonnes to help reduce the high cost of poultry feed.

The initiative, being implemented with the National Cereal Research Institute, NCRI, Amakama, also covers crops such as sesame, Bambara nut, rice, castor and other crops that can grow in the Southeast.

AFAN Chairman in Abia, Lady Gift Chidinma Ogbonna, announced the plan during a two-day practical training and crop demonstration for farmers at the NCRI facility.

She said a 1.5-hectare demonstration farm, shared among the state’s 17 local government areas, is being used to promote commercial production of the crops.

Ogbonna identified mechanisation as a major challenge, noting that preparing one hectare of farmland with machinery can cost about 450,000 naira because of diesel and logistics expenses.

She called for 15 tractors to support farmers across Abia’s three agricultural zones.

AFAN Youth Representative, Dr Chibuzo Obiesili, said increased soybean production could reduce poultry feed costs by up to 50 per cent by providing local raw materials for feed manufacturers.

He said the state could eventually produce between 20,000 and 30,000 tonnes of soybean annually.

NCRI officials said the partnership is aimed at improving farmers’ access to high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties and expanding crop production across the Southeast.

AFAN is also extending its activities to fish farming, with training for farmers and corps members to increase income opportunities and local protein production.