Lagos, Plateau mop-up 450,000 eggs to address glut in poultry sector

The Lagos and Plateau states’ governments have facilitated the mop-up of no fewer than 450,000 eggs to address the recent egg glut in the poultry sector.

The Lagos State Government through the State Ministry of Agriculture mopped up 300,000 eggs from the Erikorodo Poultry Estate in Ikorodu by a private firm, Farm Alert Ltd.

Ms Abisola Olusanya, State Commissioner for Agriculture, in a statement signed by Mrs Nike Sodipo, Director, Public Affairs, on Tuesday in Lagos, said that the intervention came after weeks of visitations and negotiations led by the commissioner and other senior ministry officials toward ensuring that all parties were in agreement to modalities of the off-take.

The commissioner said that the take-off which commenced on April 10 would be a continuous exercise to prevent a future glut in the sector.

Olusanya added that the intervention from the state government would further enhance the development of the poultry value chain in Lagos.

She said that the state government had intervened in bringing sustainable solutions to the fore as regards the egg glut problem confronting poultry farmers in the state.

According to her, Gov. Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has championed the food systems transformation plan with the overall objective of improving the livelihood of the agricultural value chain actors.

“Toward wealth creation, job security, increased inclusiveness in sectorial policy formulation with a view to production and supply of wholesome nutritious foods to Lagosians.

“In this regard, the state government has intervened in bringing sustainable solutions to the fore as regards the egg glut problem confronting poultry farmers in the state.

“The poultry farmers operating within Erikorodo and Aiyedoto poultry estates form a large percentage of registered farmers under the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter.

“The move enhances the food security agenda of the state government.

“On our part as government, the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu will continue to put measures in place to create a conducive environment for farmers to operate in line with efforts to ensure sufficiency in food production in the state,” she said.

Olasanya noted that the estates’ poultry farmers had mentioned that the recent egg glut issue was aggravated by the cash crunch and closure of schools, amongst other factors.

Also, the Plateau State Government recently bought 5,000 crates of eggs from the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Plateau branch, to alleviate farmers’ plight due to the glut of eggs.

Mr Simon Lalong, Plateau State Governor, said that the mop-up was the first intervention of the state government in addressing the issue of egg glut in the state.

NAN