By Emma ELEKWA
A smallholder poultry farmer Anthonia Nwabueze, in Otuocha community in Anambra East Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, woke up to see about 250 birds lying lifeless in her poultry. It was her worst day, having purchased the birds barely three months earlier.
Recounting her ordeal in an interview with The Nation, Nwabueze said she was at a loss as to the next move to make, particularly in view of the prevailing economic hardship being faced by all and sundry across the country.
“I bought a total of 300 broilers shortly after Easter celebrations. Each of them cost between N750 and N900. They were all healthy and in good condition. For the two months plus I reared them, I didn’t observe any serious problems with their growth and development.
“The only fear I nursed was their feed consumption. Although the cost of feed has increased, I made sure there was enough for the birds. But I discovered they consumed more in the day than at night due to the absence of light in their apartment,” she narrated.
Due to epileptic power supply, she had to resort to using torch lights and lanterns to provide warmth and illumination for the birds. But as the power supply got worse, the artificial lighting did very little.
“We may see electricity probably once or twice a week in my area. I could only afford a charcoal pot which was inadequate for the entire poultry house. Since the birds needed light to see their food to eat properly, I suspect that malnutrition must have contributed to the loss of the birds,” she explained.
Nwabueze is not alone in this predicament. Several women farmers in the state who had abandoned crop farming for poultry and fish farming following inherent dangers such as insecurity and perceived benefits in agriculture business are currently regretting their decisions. No thanks to the same electricity challenges.
Another poultry farmer from Akabukwu Uruagu in Nnewi North LGA, Nwakego Okoye, says the worsening electricity supply in her area has impeded growth and maturity of her birds, negatively impacting her business.
“I’ve been in this business for over thirty years. When I started, the power issue was reasonably steady. But presently, the supply has been erratic. Although I’ve not recorded much loss in terms of death of birds, the lack of electricity also affects the growth and maturity of the birds,” she said.
Okoye explained that the birds are unable to mature in time due to their inability to eat well, especially at night, when they can’t see their food.
“So, the birds which I’m supposed to sell within five weeks stay up to seven to eight weeks before being taken to the market,” she said.
Another poultry farmer, Georgina Akunyiba, who also serves as the Anambra State coordinator of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) said she lost about twenty birds due to the absence of power supply for several weeks.
“I and many farmers have lost our birds as a result of this power challenge. Due to the harsh weather, you see the birds cluster together in a place to get warmth. Some will climb on top of others and as a result of the stampede, some will die,” she said.
To cater for the birds and prevent more losses, she uses kerosene and charcoal stove to heat up the environment. However, the rainy season frustrates her efforts and bites into her profits.
“You keep covering the birds with tarpaulin, as well as burning kerosene and charcoal for the entire night, making the cost of production to be on the high side. Currently, a litre of kerosene is N1,400 and you need not less than three litres to heat up the house for the birds. For charcoal, a bag is N7, 000.
“Some nights, you may need to keep vigil to ensure the stove or charcoal light doesn’t go off. Otherwise, by the time you wake up the following morning, you will discover some of the birds are dead as a result of the cold,” Akunyiba said.
Akunyiba’s son, Ifeanyichukwu, an animal scientist and farmer, with specialty in fishery, said it has not been easy since he ventured into the business. He listed lack of funds, water and electricity supply as major setbacks of the business.
“Since the fishes need steady fresh water, we change their water regularly so they can have enough oxygen to guarantee their survival. In fact, we had to dig a borehole to ensure we didn’t run out of water.
“Unfortunately, due to power outage, we find it difficult to pump water and if we must use a generator to power the sumo, we buy fuel. This, of course has led to increase in price of production of the fingerling and consequent reduction in sales.
“Before now, we used to have about 1,500 fishes, but now, the number has reduced to 800 pieces,” he lamented.
For Chigozie Uzoewu, from Amafor Nkpor 2, Idemili North LGA, poultry farming had been admirable while watching those into the business until the day she decided to establish hers. According to her, she never thought of the importance of electricity in the business until she was neck deep.
“I started with 50 birds. I didn’t realise the importance of electricity in the business until I ventured into it. The birds need steady power, morning, afternoon and night. If the birds feed morning and night, in a month’s time, they’re ready for sale. But if there’s no light, especially at night, they find it difficult to eat,” she said.
Uzoewu’s first loss was over 20 broilers which she said must have been due to cold weather. She, however, persevered and managed to start rearing over 700 birds. Over time, due to epileptic power supply, she lost most of them.
“I thought of buying a generator but the increase in fuel prices discouraged me. Imagine buying a litre of fuel for N800; I used to keep up to 700 birds, but they are currently 200,” she said.
To survive and feed her family, Uzoewu said she had to open up a mini mart in front of her house, equipping it with proceeds from the poultry business.
“This is the only way I am to feed my family and pay my children’s school fees,” she added.
At Mgbachu village, Nkpor, Sunday Ilechukwu, who spoke on behalf of his wife, a farmer who was absent from home when our reporter visited, said epileptic power supply had not posed a serious challenge to them as they were able to install solar panels in their farm. The 44- year-old man said he had to establish a poultry, fishery and piggery farm for his wife who he said is a graduate of Agriculture.
“We started this business over seven years ago with a huge capital. But three years ago, our farm was attacked by a strange air-borne disease. It killed over 300 pigs. Out of this number, 52 were pregnant. The few remaining, we sold them off. We currently have 10 fishes in our pond. The number is small because we sold many and plunged the proceeds into crop farming.
“We were not badly affected by electricity because we make use of solar energy. We also bought a big generator through loan. But for a long time now, we’ve not put on the generator due to the high cost of fuel. In fact, since this year, we’ve not brought the generator outside. It has really affected our business.”
Ilechukwu also decried regular visits of government officials to their farms to gather information about their challenges, but without corresponding assistance.
“After capturing our information and giving us forms to fill, we won’t hear from them (government agents) again,” he lamented.
While others are struggling to keep their poultry business functioning, that of Mrs. Eziamaka Ibemesi, located at Amafor Nkpo, has packed up. Narrating her ordeal, the visibly devastated widow said buying chickens has been a serious challenge not to talk of feeding them.
“I’ve been in this business for more than 10 years from 50 birds to 150 birds. But now I don’t have any. At some point, I started going from house to house begging people for assistance. Currently, I can no longer cope, especially with the death of my husband. I’ve been managing myself,” she said.
Before deciding to shut down the poultry, she explained that the inconsistent power supply proved to be a burden.
“I used a lantern to heat up the poultry house. But kerosene became too expensive. When there’s no light, the birds catch cold and sometimes you see them coughing. Of course, you will still have to buy drugs for them to take,” she said.
The situation is no different for Njideka Uzoegwu, another poultry farmer based in Amafor Nkpo Agu, who says the erratic power supply was manageable when fuel prices were still low. But now it has become frustrating.
“I started this poultry business over 20 years ago to enable me to train my children. I have 200 birds. We’ve been having light problems and we keep spending huge money on fuel for our generator. In a week, we spend about N10,000,” she bemoaned.
Another farmer, Amaechi Rachel whose farm is located in Ebenebe in Awka North LGA said she suspended poultry for fishery due to low funds and erratic power supply.
“We moved into this place last year in January and started with 500 birds. We have customers who come as far as Awka to patronise us. We use rechargeable bulbs which get recharged once there is power. We also have a standby generator. But the cost of fueling it is now something else. We spend minimum of N10,000 on weekly basis.
“Anytime there’s a power outage, the birds will scream. They can’t eat without light. But currently we don’t have birds due to lack of money. We decided to go into fishery due to the high cost of feed,” she said.
SWOFON coordinator in Awka North LGA, Favour Nwora, also lamented power supply challenges in their area and its impact on poultry and fishery businesses.
“It has not been easy in our area. The epileptic power supply has been affecting our business adversely. Even when they bring the light, it won’t last up to 4 hours. We’re really suffering,” she added.
These accounts of small-scale poultry and fisheries farmers in several LGAs across Anambra State highlight the harsh reality faced by these agricultural businesses that rely on a consistent power supply to function. Despite the integral role the poultry and fisheries sectors play in Nigeria’s economy, the farmers struggle with the challenges posed by erratic electricity, which negatively impacts their operations and profitability.
Nigeria’s poultry and fisheries industry Data from United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation, (FAO) indicates that Nigeria’s poultry industry is a significant contributor to the country’s GDP, accounting for 6-8 per cent annually while poultry farming alone contributes to about 30 per cent of the agriculture sector’s GDP. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), the poultry farming industry in the country as at 2019 was estimated to be worth around 1.6 trillion, making it the most commercialised sub-sector of the country’s agricultural landscape.
Similarly, the country is the largest fish consumer in Africa and among the largest in the world, with an annual consumption of 3.2 million metric tons.
The director, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Ime Umoh, during a stakeholders’ dialogue held in Abuja, revealed that Nigeria’s fish production stands at 1.2 million metric tonnes yearly, while the demand has risen to 3.6 million tonnes, leaving a deficit of about 2.5 million metric tonnes.
According to him, the deficit is being supplemented by frozen fish importation, costing Nigeria millions in forex. He added that intensified efforts by the artisanal, industrial, and aquaculture value chain players are capable of bridging the gap.
However, with evidence of poultry and fisheries farmers battling power supply challenges and high fuel prices, it remains uncertain whether the country will be able to fully meet domestic demand for these products in the near term, let alone compete effectively in the global marketplace.
The programme manager, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), State Ministry of Agriculture, Jude Nwankwo, said his ministry has been supportive to both poultry and fishery farmers in the state, particularly the women, who he described as critical stakeholders in the agricultural production chain.
When asked how the ministry has provided support to poultry and fishery farmers, he said, “our mandate as extension officers is to assist the farmers make effective use of indigenous technology, especially where the conventional methods are absent.
“For example, we advise them to use either a stove or charcoal pot to ensure they don’t lose the birds to cold.”
He further admitted that breeding chicks require electricity and that the lack of constant power supply is a national issue, but Anambra State was set to see an improvement given the commitment of the present administration.
In March 2023 governor of Anambra State, , Chukwuma Soludo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the Enugu State Electricity Company (EEDC), to develop mechanisms that would ensure steady power supply across the state. According to the MoU, the state government will undertake and lead the development of a comprehensive, integrated energy resource plan that provides vital input on fuel sources, current and projected load/demand and potential locations for load-serving entities within the state, among other roles.
The EEDC, on the other hand, will procure all regulatory approvals for enabling private sector investors and other stakeholders to participate in the development of the electricity supply chain in the state, among others.Speaking on the partnership, the chief executive officer of EEDC, Emeka Offor, said the implementation of the project will commence within 18 months, where major cities in Anambra State would begin to get at least 18 hours of power supply.
However, the agonising testimonies of women poultry and fishery farmers around power supply is an indication that the lofty plan of the Soludo-led administration for the entire state has not materialised.
Precisely in February this year, Soludo at a South-East Business Roundtable and flag-off of the Light-up Nigeria Project by the vice president, Kashim Shettima, in Enugu, lamented poor power supply to the people of the state, calling for the removal of gas from the exclusive legislative list to enable states with abundant gas reserves to explore the resource for power generation and other industrial purposes.
According to him, such steps would give enough backing to the new Electricity Act 2023, which empowers governors and the private sector to generate, transmit, and distribute power within their jurisdictions.
“Anambra has an abundance of gas, but we can’t take it and provide power for our people. We need electricity; Anambra is an industrial hub, but without power, we can’t do anything. If we do everything to fix all the areas of doing business, without power, that’s not going to work.
“We need to unlock one other thing that is on the exclusive list, which is gas. With the federal government still having a stranglehold on gas, that is a challenge,” the governor stated.
In April of this year, the federal government announced a hike in the price of natural gas for power generating companies, increasing it by 11 percent.
An agribusiness consultant, Joshua Njimaezi, while lamenting impacts of electricity tariff hike on both poultry and fishery farming, said most farmers in the state no longer rear for business due to difficulty in breaking even.
He said, “The tariff increase has caused great increase in prices of poultry and fish feed to about 40percent with its attendant negative impacts on the farmers. “Small-scale farmers are winding up because they can no longer meet the cost of production, feeds and other inputs.
“Medium scale farmers are already downsizing, resulting to the cutting of their profit margin. Hence, they’re no longer rearing for business, but for fun.
“The fishery farming, on the other hand, has skyrocketed prices of finished products; and since the buyers lack the purchasing power, the farmers end up rearing the fishes for a longer time, thereby eating into their profit line.
“Same with those of poultry farmers. One can count the number of households that are still consuming chickens and eggs as a result of costs. A crate of egg is currently between N5,000 to N7,000, depending the sizes.
“Those selling at cost prices are looking for ways to push them out of their farms. Worse still, they may end up not selling at all, especially this period that is maize season.
“Meanwhile, the more we rely on imported products to meet our domestic demands, the more we have a capital flight.”Again, the more we depend on imported products, the more it affects the GDP growth which is not good for the state and country at large.
“Employment opportunities of our teeming youths will definitely drop since importation has overtaken productivity. This may lead to insecurity and chaos across the country.”
Farmers demand government support for bountiful harvest
Akunyiba decried existing gaps between government and farmers, underscoring the importance of closer relationships with the farmers, as well as their inclusion in the annual budget.
“Just like Oliver Twist, the farmers need more. We’re begging for inclusion of farmers in the budget. They may be thinking we need water, whereas sugar is our problem. And when they provide us with the water, they will be rejoicing that they have satisfied us without knowing that they have not attended to our needs.
“But when they draw closer and rapport with us, especially during budget planning, then we can tell them exactly what we need. “Yes, the government has its priority, but we have to table ours. For example, we need steady power and water supply, quality feeds, vaccination and training by service providers, especially on recording,” she said.
“We also need government intervention in the area of feeds for the birds in view of its high cost.
“Unfortunately, once inputs are mentioned, focus is always on crop farming, like fertilisers, cassava and maize. Those of us dealing on livestocks are scarcely remembered.
“However, we’ll prefer they estimate the cost of the feeds and give us the cash so we can buy the exact feeds we need. For example, I may prefer a particular feed, but they may bring the ones not good for my birds.
“Besides, we know the real farmers who are into poultry and fishery and where to procure the exact feeds for day-old. Personally, I’m both a distributor and supplier of day-old.
“For those in fishery, they need quality and less expensive feeds. For example, 1.5mm to 2mm to 9mm, fingerling.
“The timing these inputs are received is also very important because the price of the feeds keep increasing on daily basis. A feed I sold for N19,500 last Friday was N20,800 on Monday. Just this month, the price of feeds has increased about three times.
On the satisfaction derivable in the business, she said, “apart from being a hobby and taking care of the family, house rent, we’re happy we’re feeding the nation, regardless of the gains or losses.”
SWOFON coordinator, Awka North LGA, Favour Nwora, also lamented power supply challenges in their area, calling for government’s intervention.
“It has not been easy in our area. The epileptic power supply has been affecting our business adversely. Even when they bring the light, it won’t last up to 4 hours. We’re really suffering.
“Those using gas, fuel or kerosene are not better. We’re just in the business to avoid being idle. Besides, it’s better to put the little money one has into a business. Otherwise, you may lose it completely.
“We’re pleading with the government to intervene by improving the quality of power in our area so that our businesses can grow. We’ve been complaining and filling forms, yet nothing comes to us. Even when they allocate something to us, those things are distributed along party lines. And all of us can’t belong to the same party,” she lamented.
*This report was made possible with support from the international Centre for investigative Reporting, ICIR
Blessing Otoibhi is a Multimedia Journalist and Anchor host for the News in 60 seconds at The International Center For Investigative Reporting. You can shoot her a mail via [email protected] or connect on Twitter @B_otoibhi