1. The Paradox of Plenty
Benue State—long regarded as Nigeria’s “Food Basket”—sits on a quiet contradiction. Its soil feeds millions, yet its livestock sector, particularly egg production, has not kept pace with demand.
Nigeria produces an estimated 15–16 billion eggs annually, the highest on the continent. Still, this output meets only a fraction of national demand. The shortfall is visible in rising prices, inconsistent supply, and dependence on a loosely organised production system.
Benue reflects this national picture. There is no shortage of land, labour, or market demand. What exists instead is a gap between what is possible and what is currently produced.
2. Current Egg Production in Benue
Egg production in Benue is largely in the hands of small and medium-scale farmers. These operations are scattered across Makurdi, Gboko, Otukpo and surrounding areas. While profitable at the individual level, they lack the scale needed to influence regional supply.
Productivity per bird remains below global standards. In many smallholder systems, annual output per layer is far lower than the 250–300 eggs seen in well-managed commercial farms elsewhere. The reasons are clear: inconsistent feed quality, limited access to improved breeds, and gaps in farm management practices.
Despite these constraints, poultry farming in the state continues to grow, driven by steady demand and relatively quick returns compared to other livestock ventures.
3. Demand Across Benue and North Central Nigeria
The demand for eggs in Benue and the wider North Central region is both strong and expanding.
Population growth, urbanisation, and a gradual shift towards affordable protein sources have increased egg consumption. Yet per capita intake remains low when compared to global averages, which points to a deeper issue—not lack of interest, but lack of supply.
Cities such as Makurdi, Lafia, Jos, Ilorin, and Abuja form a continuous consumption belt. Markets in these areas rely on inflows from neighbouring states, particularly Plateau. Even with this inflow, supply often falls short.
The implication is straightforward: the market is not saturated. It is underserved.
4. Why Production Falls Short
Several structural issues continue to limit egg production in Benue:
Feed Costs
Feed accounts for the largest share of production expenses. Rising prices of maize and soybean have pushed costs upward, squeezing farmer margins and limiting expansion.
Limited Access to Finance
Most producers operate with personal savings or informal loans. Without access to structured financing, scaling up remains difficult.
Fragmented Production System
There is little coordination among producers. Eggs move through multiple layers of middlemen before reaching consumers, reducing profit margins for farmers and increasing retail prices.
Animal Health Challenges
Access to veterinary services is uneven. Preventable diseases still affect flock performance, reducing output and increasing losses.
Rural Disruptions
Insecurity in parts of the state has affected farming communities, reducing both crop and livestock productivity.
5. The Size of the Opportunity
The gap between egg demand and supply in Nigeria represents a significant economic opportunity. For Benue, this gap is even more pronounced.
With the right structure, the state can:
- Meet its own demand for eggs
- Supply neighbouring states across the North Central region
- Serve as a steady source for urban markets further south
Egg production offers more than food—it provides employment, supports grain farming, and strengthens rural economies.
6. Closing the Gap: What Needs to Be Done
A shift from scattered production to organised systems is essential.
Strengthening Feed Supply
Local production of maize and soybean must be better linked to feed mills. Encouraging small and medium feed processors within the state will reduce dependence on external suppliers and stabilise costs.
Developing Poultry Clusters
Farmers operating in isolation cannot achieve scale. Cluster-based production—where farmers share infrastructure, inputs, and services—can improve efficiency and output.
Improving Access to Finance
Targeted credit schemes tailored to poultry farmers would enable expansion. With proper structuring, repayment can be tied to production cycles, reducing risk for both farmers and lenders.
Upgrading Breeds and Hatcheries
Access to high-performing layer breeds is critical. Establishing reliable hatcheries within the region will reduce costs and improve flock quality.
Reforming Market Systems
Direct links between producers and major markets can reduce the role of intermediaries. Collection centres, storage facilities, and organised distribution channels will help stabilise supply and pricing.
Strengthening Veterinary Services
Routine health management and biosecurity practices must become standard. This requires both training and access to qualified professionals.
7. A Regional Perspective
The North Central region is well positioned to become a major egg-producing belt. Plateau State has already shown what is possible with more organised production. Benue, with its agricultural base, can take this further.
A coordinated regional approach—linking producers, standardising quality, and improving logistics—would allow the area to meet a significant share of national demand.
8. Conclusion
Benue’s challenge is not production potential. It is organisation.
The conditions required for a thriving egg industry already exist: fertile land, an available workforce, and strong market demand. What is missing is a system that connects these elements and allows them to function at scale.
If these gaps are addressed, Benue will move beyond its current role as a crop-producing state and establish itself as a key player in Nigeria’s livestock economy.
The opportunity is clear. What remains is the decision to act.
