The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has championed the food systems transformation plan with the overall objective of improving the livelihood of the agricultural value chain actors towards wealth creation, job security, increased inclusiveness in sectoral 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 Ministry of Agriculture has facilitated the offtake of a minimum of 300,000 eggs from the Erikorodo Poultry Estate in Ikorodu by a private firm – Farm Alert Ltd, after weeks of visits and negotiations by the Hon. Commissioner, Ms. Abisola Olusanya and other senior ministry officials towards ensuring that all parties are in agreement to modalities of the offtake. The operations commenced on Monday, 10th April 2023. This support from the State Government shall further enhance the development of the poultry value chain in Lagos.
The poultry farmers operating within Erikorodo and Aiyedoto poultry estates form a large percentage of registered farmers under the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) – Lagos State Chapter, and the move enhances the food security agenda of the State Government.
The Estates’ poultry farmers mentioned that the recent egg glut issue was aggravated by the cash crunch, closure of schools, amongst other factors.
In her response, the Commissioner stated that “on our part as government, the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola 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”.