Agriculture in Nigeria, particularly, livestock and fish farming, has suffered downturn, with reports indicating that over 60 per cent of fish farmers have been forced to shut down, while more than half of poultry farms ceased operations between January and July 2024.

The National Publicity Secretary, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Godwin Egbebe, who disclosed this in Benin, attributed the decline to rising feed costs, high operational expenses, inflation, transportation difficulties, and climate change. He noted that these challenges make it increasingly difficult for farmers to sustain their businesses.

“As a result, many fish farmers are abandoning the industry, creating a potential fish deficit that could increase Nigeria’s reliance on imports. While some business entities might capitalise on this gap by importing frozen animal products, such a trend would harm the economy, further impoverishing local farmers and affecting food security.

“Despite the daunting challenges in this critical sector of our economy, some large scale farmers have continued to struggle for survival.” In an interview with one of such farmers in Edo State – Dr Alhaji A. I. Imafidor, the owner of Alhaji A. I. Imafidor Farms Ltd, he noted that livestock farming has become too capital intensive in Nigeria, a situation which has forced many of his colleague out of the business,” he said.

According to Egbebe, it is his passion for contributing his quota in the fight against food insecurity that has sustained him in the business.

“For the past five years, from my findings, Alhaji A. I. Imafidor Farms Ltd has operated independently, without external support from individuals, institutions, NGOs, or the government.

“Despite the economic downturn, the farm has continued to supply food to the people of Edo State. The farm provides essential food supplies including eggs, chicken, turkey, fish, goat, ram, beef, rice, and cooking oil, ensuring that even the most underprivileged families could put food on their tables.

He added that the efforts of the government at the state and federal levels towards revolutionising the agricultural sector are laudable. “For instance, the current administration budgeted N826.5b for agriculture this year, 2025. This represents more than 100 per cent increase from the N362b allocated in 2024. At the state level, the government of Edo State allocated N70b for farmers in 2025.

“These are commendable efforts by the government. But it does not end there. There is the need to ensure that these funds get to the right people. Existing farms and many others have potentials for expansion if given the necessary support. Such assistance will help the farmers increase production, making food readily available and affordable for the members of the public that are currently in a fierce battle with hunger.

While calling on government at all levels to make deliberate efforts to locate these farmers and provide the necessary support they need for expansion and increase in production, he said, “It could be in terms of building more structures, procuring more equipment, subsidising the cost of feed or direct release of funds to the farmers. This is one of the most reliable ways the government can ensure food security.”