The term poultry in agriculture is generally used to refer to all domesticated birds kept for egg or meat purposes. Sometimes when we say poultry, we make it synonymous with chicken.
This is quite wrong; poultry species are chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, peafowls, guinea fowls, swan, pigeons, pheasants, ostrich, and Quails.
But chicken is the most common of all these species and it is the subject matter of this write-up.
The importance of animal protein in the food cannot be over-emphasized. Protein helps in bodybuilding, growth, and development of children in terms of bones, teeth and other reproductive parts.
Investing in table egg production is seen as a contribution to the physical and mental development of Nigerians, which in the short and long run will contribute positively to the productivity of Nigerians.
With the recent revitalization of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme of the Central Bank, individuals and corporate bodies can now have access to finance to fund this kind of scheme.
In this regard, funding for this project will not constitute any problem.
With the increasing awareness of Nigerians on the need to take at least one egg daily, the market for poultry table eggs is widening daily.
With the Nigerian population of about 200million people, the market for poultry eggs is rather un-imaginable.
Neighbouring West, East, and Northern African Countries also depend on poultry eggs from Nigeria, as the weather for the production of eggs is highly conducive when compared to these countries.
Not only this, ingredients for the production of animal feeds are readily available in Nigeria. The import of this message is that there is also the export market potential for poultry egg production.
For persons or corporate bodies looking for a project that generates income on a daily basis, poultry egg production is one of such projects.
Eggs are picked on a daily basis ready to be sold to waiting wholesale buyers or retailers who buy in crates. Daily income generation business to a great extent stabilizes the economy of individuals, corporate bodies and the nation.
The profitability of the project is not doubted; there are living cases of corporate bodies that are currently engaged in this business and they are smiling to their banks daily.
Poultry eggs contain certain vitamins, proteins, and minerals needed for the growth and proper functioning of the body.
Under an ideal situation, an average person should take at least one egg per day. The project will to a very great extent improve the state of nutrition of Nigerians.
The relative energy and protein conversion of a unit of available meat is also highest for poultry.
It can, therefore, be said that poultry holds a unique position in bridging the protein supply gap whether in terms of rapid turnover or price of feed conversion.
The land requirement for poultry projects is minimal. This means that the project can be established with ease. The project also gives room for flexibility. That is, one can start from a small-scale production and graduate to large-scale production.
With the introduction of Poultry vaccines and drugs, the mortality rate in poultry has been reduced to the barest minimum.
The creation of the Agricultural Insurance Scheme has also reduced risks associated with poultry farming. In this regard, poultry farming is now a secured business. The fear of going into it has been removed entirely.
Technical Information
Poultry eggs production entails the procurement of point of lay birds or day-old chicks. These birds are kept in a pen and fed with required feeds in order to lay eggs on a daily basis.
Birds domestication involves feeding with very good feed, supply of clean water and keeping the farm clean always by way of regular disposal of their wastes, disinfecting the pens and restriction of foreign bodies from entering into the pens. The only critical input is the feeds.
Farmers keeping more than 5,000 birds are always advised to have their mini-feed mill so that they can compound their own ration on the farm.
This will reduce feeding costs and also assist the farmer to monitor what constitute the feeding ingredients. It is also an additional source of income because one can be compounding feeds for other farmers.
Investors must always consult the agricultural experts/consultants in the process of planning such project.
Financial Implication
We are looking at the possibility of setting up a 5,000 poultry layers farm. The financial implication is listed as follows:
Land and Buildings:
Laying Birds (point of lay) : 14,000,000
Provision for Mini feed mill: 2,500,000
Feeds Ingredients : 3,000,000
Project vehicle : 1,500,000
Utility/Others/cages :
TOTAL
The project cost may be lower or higher depending on the financial strength of the investor. One can start with a lower number of birds and then expand later.
The project will also definitely attract finance from the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme of Central Bank of Nigeria where individual or corporate bodies can be assisted from N10 million to N1 billion.
Some commercial banks are also well disposed to this project. A well-packaged feasibility study is a pre-requisite to sourcing of finance from this scheme. This can be provided on request.
Profitability
A daily revenue of N100, 000 have been computed with operating costs put at N60,000 on a daily basis. The monthly net income of N3.0 million is therefore achievable. This is no doubt a good source of livelihood for Nigerians. Serious-minded Investors can be assisted in the realization of the project right from inception to completion. Authors contact: Olumakinde Oni: 080-23058045, 080-33660177 and[email protected]
OLUMAKINDE ONI
