Kano Poultry Farmers Urge Government to Lower Feed and Drug Costs

Poultry farmers in Kano State are calling on the government to provide subsidised feed and animal medication as rising input prices increase the cost of production and put pressure on their businesses.

One of the farmers, Aminu Nabegu, said prices of several poultry feed brands have gone up. A bag of Ultima Plus now sells for 23,000 naira, compared with 20,000 naira previously, while Ultima feed has increased from 18,000 to 21,000 naira. Chikun feed rose from 16,500 to 18,000 naira, while Hybrid feed now costs 14,200 naira, up from 12,000 naira.

Nabegu added that day-old chicks, which previously sold for between 500 and 700 naira, now cost about 2,000 naira. He estimated that raising 100 chicks to market size could require 13 to 14 bags of feed, depending on farm management.

Other farmers, including Ruth Johnson and Amos Patrick, also reported higher expenses for chicks, feed and medication. Patrick said he adjusts feeding and sales to available resources and customer demand, with buyers requesting birds of different ages.

Farmers also raised concerns about the approaching harmattan season, when additional lighting and warmth may be needed to support bird health and growth.

They urged the government to make essential poultry inputs more affordable, saying the support could ease production costs and help sustain their businesses