Investors in animal farming in Edo State have complained over the hike in prices of animal feeds, especially for fish and chicken which they said were going beyond their reach.
Our correspondent gathered that the situation has also affected sale of their farm produce as their prices have equally increased.
The development, it was learnt, has led to the shutdown of many farms in the state and attempts to access government loans to remain afloat in the business appear difficult.
The chairman, JabWorld Agro& Multi-purpose Limited, Uyi Jaboro, said the government should immediately come to the aid of farmers if its aim of addressing food security is to be achieved.
Uyi, who owns poultry, snail, fishery, grass-cutter, sheep and cattle farms in Benin, said the high cost of animal feeds had become a serious challenge to farmers.
He said; “It is very difficult keeping our farms running, especially with the high cost of feeds. We are appealing to the government to support farmers’ efforts in food production, job creation and grant access for loans.
Similarly, another farmer, Mrs Obasuyi Anthonia, said the present cost of feeds had affected many farmers, noting that efforts by the Poultry Feeds Association had not yielded any positive result.
“The cost of feeds is beyond the reach of many farmers. The price of a bag of chicken and fish feeds has almost doubled. A bucket of fish feed that used to cost N18, 000 now sells for N21, 700 and this is not helping farmers. We really need assistance from all relevant government agencies,” she said.
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