HIGH FEED PRICES THREATEN POULTRY INDUSTRY IN WEST NILE

Some of the feeds for sell at A&B Livestock feeds shop in Arua City.

By Martin Anguyo
Arua City
 
Poultry farmers in West Nile are being encouraged to explore breeds of chicken that are manageable for them, given the current challenges in the industry.
 
This call to action comes in response to the rising costs of poultry feeds, including broken maize, chick starter, and other essential ingredients.
 
In Arua City, the prices of broken maize vary significantly, ranging from 1,800 to 2,200 Ugandan shillings per kilogram at different marketplaces.
 
Majid Mayanja, Operations Manager at Omia Agri Business Group Limited, attributes the high prices to the increased cost of production faced by feed producers.
 
"The prices are indeed very high due to the elevated production costs," he explains.
As a result, I am urging farmers to adapt and find ways to manage their feed costs effectively in order to remain profitable" he said.
 
Fred Bayo, one of the poultry farmers urges his colleagues that, ?I would encourage farmers to go for breeds they can manage mostly the dual purpose they can survive from other vegetables within our disposal.
 
So if you can have the other feeds as basic foundation, maybe the pre-starter, starter and after that you can release the birds on free range in a place that is controlled, where their movement can be restricted? Fred requested.
 
Henry Caku, a feed attendant at Valis Poultry Feeds Shop, advises farmers to optimize their feed purchases by minimizing costs. "We're dealing with prices set by various companies, so farmers need to be strategic about their feed purchases," he says.
 
However, the situation seems dire for many farmers. At A&B Livestock Feeds Shop, several farmers have expressed frustration, with some even considering abandoning the poultry business altogether.
 
According to the shop attendant who preferred not to be named, the high costs of feeds are making it difficult for farmers to sustain their operations.
 
The rising costs of poultry feeds in West Nile are posing significant challenges for farmers. However, by exploring manageable breeds, optimizing feed purchases, and adapting to the current market conditions, poultry farmers can navigate these difficulties and sustain their businesses.