The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Lagos State Chapter, has reassured residents that the prices of poultry produce will soon drop, following the Lagos State Government’s intervention through the Ounje Eko Phase 2 farmers’ subsidy programme. This update was shared by the PAN Vice President and Chairman of the Aiyedoto Poultry Farmers Settlement, Foluso Adams, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems recently announced the start of Phase II of the Ounje Eko initiative to help reduce food prices ahead of the festive season. The programme is expected to support farmers and ease the cost of essential food items.
Adams explained that the subsidy is coming at a crucial time for poultry farmers and consumers as the year-end celebrations draw near. He said the government’s support would have a clear impact on the price of eggs and other poultry products. According to him, “The Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme will definitely go a long way to cut down the price of poultry produce during the yuletide.”
He revealed that the price of a crate of eggs, which currently ranges between N5,500 and N6,000, is expected to drop to between N5,100 and N5,300. He added that the discount provided through the subsidy has encouraged farmers to adjust their prices downward. “The intervention will help because, with the discount they have given us, the poultry farmers have even sat down to reduce the price,” he said.
However, Adams pointed out that not every farmer will benefit from the programme due to the specific type of feed being distributed. “However, the thing is, it is only the Animal Care brand that they are offering, and some farmers use other brands of feed,” he noted. Despite this, PAN has urged its members to take advantage of the subsidy and give back to the community by reducing prices for consumers. “We have already told our members to benefit from the subsidy and that they are going to contribute back to society by reducing the price,” he added.
He also said that the association had already informed the government of the decision to cut prices so that residents can experience the impact of the initiative. “The materials will start arriving on Wednesday, and from our settlement, we have 50 farmers as beneficiaries,” he said.
Adams noted that the programme is already influencing the wider market as other feed processors are adjusting their prices to remain competitive. He said these processors are lowering their costs so they do not lose customers.
He added that the expected price drop would affect chicken sales during the festive period, although discussions on that are still ongoing. He said, “We expect the prices of chicken to drop also, but discussions are still ongoing as regards that.” Adams encouraged other states to adopt similar measures to ensure nationwide relief, saying, “If other states tap into what the Lagos State Government is doing, the price of poultry produce will drastically come down during the yuletide season.”
