Ogun state government boosts poultry production with additional 1.3 million birds processing facility

The Ogun State Government has boasted that it has the capacity to process an additional 1.3 million birds annually and significantly reduce poultry importation, following the construction of a 5,000-birds-per-day poultry processing facility at Ajegunle Farm Settlement, Odeda Local Government Area, under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP).

Penpushing reports that Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, disclosed this during a visit to Ajegunle Farm Settlement, Eweje Farm Institute, and Odo Fufu in Odeda and Yewa South Local Government Areas.

The Commissioner during the visit which is part of the first phase of his facility tour of ongoing and completed agricultural projects across the state said the government remains committed to supporting farmers and scaling up food production.

Penpushing further reports that he pointed out that Ajegunle Farm Settlement, designated as a poultry hub, currently has about 400 resident farmers, while newly provided complementary facilities including blast freezers, cold rooms, waste processing facilities, a warehouse with fitted offices, and 20,000-capacity poultry pens have continued to attract private investors.

The Commissioner explained that a private investor has just completed the construction of a 13,000-capacity poultry pen at the settlement, further highlighting its growing economic significance.

Penpushing also reports that Omotomo disclosed that the state, through Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) has completed 28 agricultural projects across Ogun State in the last two years.

The commissioner added that other intervention programmes such as Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), OG-CARES, and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) have also contributed significantly to revitalising the agricultural sector.

“These projects are aimed at increasing food productivity, improving farmers’ livelihoods, and reducing post-harvest losses in Nigeria, which are currently estimated at ₦3.5 trillion annually”, he said.

Penpushing reports that Owotomo explained that Nigeria’s per capita chicken consumption stands between 1.7kg and 2kg, compared to 13kg in Ghana, 36kg in South Africa, and 46kg in Brazil, stressing that despite importing about 70 per cent of its poultry needs, Nigeria still lags significantly in consumption.

The commissioner at Eweje Farm Institute, where 10 poultry pens capable of producing 10,000 birds each and five four-bedroom residential buildings have been constructed, assured that the state’s sustained investment in agricultural infrastructure would further strengthen Ogun State’s position as Nigeria’s leading poultry hub.

Penpushing further reports that at Odo Fufu in Ilaro, where a cassava processing facility has been constructed to serve numerous farmers, said the project would enhance value addition and improve farmers’ incomes.

‘On sustainability, we are encouraging farmers to take ownership of these facilities. There will be strong monitoring and evaluation by the Ministry, alongside Public-Private Partnerships, to ensure long-term viability,” he said.

Penpushing also reports the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Angel Adelaja, and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, in separate remarks affirmed that the projects would significantly boost productivity and strengthen the state’s economy.

The Principal of Odeda Training Institute, Mr Ademola Benco, and the Chairman of Ajegunle Farm Settlement, Mr Rotimi Sogunle, in their contributions described the projects as unprecedented and first of their kind, noting that full utilisation would further boost agricultural production in Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

Penpushing reports that the commissioner was accompanied on the tour by the Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Waliu Owode, and Directors from the Ministry.

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