The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has called on federal and state governments to increase investment in the poultry industry, provide affordable long-term financing and strengthen security around farms to boost domestic food production.

The Chairman of PAN, Southwest Zone and National Vice-President for the region, Rev. Oluleye Gideon Olugbeja, made the appeal at the opening of the Nigeria Poultry Show 2026, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The three-day exhibition brought together poultry farmers, investors, manufacturers, financial institutions, development partners and exhibitors from Nigeria and other countries.

More than 100 vendors and exhibitors from countries including China, India, Belgium and Germany participated in the event, showcasing technologies and exploring investment opportunities across the poultry value chain.

Olugbeja urged governments to involve poultry farmers and other industry stakeholders in developing policies affecting the sector, warning that decisions taken without adequate consultation could undermine business operations and discourage investment.

He identified limited access to finance as another major challenge, saying affordable, long-term loans would enable farmers to expand their businesses, increase production and contribute more effectively to national food security.

The PAN leader also called on governments to treat food security as an integral part of national security, arguing that agricultural production deserved similar attention and investment as conventional security operations.

He expressed concern over kidnapping and other security threats, which he said had forced some farmers to abandon their farms and investments.

Olugbeja warned that insecurity could discourage participation in agriculture at a time when Nigeria needed to increase domestic food production.

He said the poultry industry had significant potential to create jobs, drive agricultural industrialisation and improve access to animal protein if given adequate government support.

Representing the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Mr Richard Umbara said the Federal Government recognised the importance of poultry production to the economy and was committed to working with industry stakeholders to address challenges facing the sector.

He identified shortages of day-old chicks as an immediate concern, noting that some farmers waited several months after making payments before receiving supplies.

Umbara disclosed that the ministry, in collaboration with PAN, was pursuing plans to import about 60 million hatchable eggs as an immediate intervention to ease the shortage and reduce the waiting period from approximately four months to one month.

He said the measure would make production more predictable and enable farmers to plan their businesses with greater certainty.

The ministry was also working towards introducing grandparent stock to strengthen domestic breeding capacity, with a long-term target of supporting the production of about 262 million day-old chicks annually.

On animal health, Umbara said the government was collaborating with relevant stakeholders to address avian influenza and other diseases affecting poultry farms.

He stressed the importance of disease surveillance, early reporting, reliable diagnosis and effective biosecurity measures, adding that vaccination could also be considered where necessary in consultation with experts.

On financing, he said the Federal Government was working towards providing single-digit interest loans with a seven-year moratorium for businesses in the livestock sector.

He added that the ministry was exploring financing options, including mezzanine and blended finance, credit guarantees, insurance and risk-sharing mechanisms, to improve access to affordable capital.

Umbara also disclosed that the Bank of Agriculture was undergoing recapitalisation to strengthen financing for agricultural businesses.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Nigeria Poultry Show 2026, Dr Olalekan Odunsi, urged participants to use the exhibition to identify investment opportunities, adopt modern technologies and improve their businesses.

He said the theme, Building a Sustainable and Resilient Poultry Industry in Challenging Times, reflected the difficulties confronting producers and the need for practical solutions, investment and collaboration.