Impacts of Power and Market Relations on the Poultry Sector of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the impacts of power and market relations with respect to small farmers’ responses on how risk and rewards are shared in the poultry supply chain of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It argues that poor market and power relations with input suppliers and chicken buyers have subjected poultry farmers to ‘price takers’ and ‘money recyclers’; a reason for the weak poultry sector in need of capacity to tackle economic, social and environmental imperatives. The study positions Nigeria with its abundant untapped resources and expanding population as the largest market for poultry and its products in the region. It also argues that the state policy intervention with proper tools and collaborative efforts can balance power and market relations across the supply chain and crucially for the marginalized

small farmers in order to strengthen the sector and align it with global sensibility. This paper provides a policy framework that could help the government of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria to use the poultry sector in lifting majority of farmers out of poverty and provide employment for the jobless millions.

Keywords: money recyclers, collateral casualties, poultry supply chain, poultry policy, Nigerian agriculture.