By, Olawale Ogunbusola

 

The Oyo State Government has convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting to address the persistent rise in the prices of day-old chicks, a trend threatening the profitability of poultry farmers and raising concerns over food security in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with poultry farmers, hatchery operators and other key industry players at the Ministry’s Conference Room.

He said the engagement was aimed at finding practical and sustainable solutions to the recurring price increases.

Olaleye expressed concern that despite the various interventions and investments made by the Oyo State Government in the agricultural sector, the cost of day-old chicks has continued to climb, placing additional financial strain on poultry farmers and negatively impacting food production.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the poultry industry, describing it as a critical component of the state’s food security and economic development agenda.

He stressed that achieving sustainable growth in the sector requires collective responsibility and cooperation among all stakeholders.

Olaleye therefore appealed to hatchery operators and marketers to consider a downward review of prices to complement government efforts aimed at boosting local poultry production, stabilizing the market and making poultry products more affordable for residents.

In his remarks, the Vice Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, Mr. Kayode Okunowo, commended the government for its proactive steps toward curbing arbitrary price hikes.

He urged the state to institutionalize periodic stakeholders’ meetings to ensure continuous dialogue and lasting solutions within the sector.

Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the hatchery stakeholders, Rev. Tunde Owolabi, called on the government to intensify public sensitization on the nutritional and economic benefits of regular consumption of chicken and eggs.

He further appealed for supportive measures to help day-old chick operators manage the heavy debts currently affecting players across the value chain, pledging stakeholders’ renewed commitment to collaborate with the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde in advancing food security in the state.

Representatives of Agrited Nigeria Limited, Ajila Value Adding Venture, BreedWell Nigeria Limited, Fiden Investment Limited, CHI Farms Limited, Saheed Farms, Bestline Farms, Zartech Limited, Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited, among others, were present at the meeting.