The Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) has provided 850 poultry farmers throughout the state with 80 sacks of feed at a 30% discount. Each farmer is breeding 500 birds. This is a major step in promoting poultry farming and increasing the amount of chicken consumed per person.

During his visit to Elere village in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, made the above statement at the flag-off of the processing of roughly 13,000 chickens raised by 26 poultry farmers who had taken advantage of the OGSTEP 30% bird feed discount.

Owotomo pointed out that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration was determined to reduce the burden associated with poultry production to the barest minimum, hence its decision to provide feeds at a discounted rate to some poultry farmers through OGSTEP.

“Nigeria has a protein deficit because we still import many poultry products from other countries. However, in Ogun State, our poultry consumption is 250,000 metric tonnes, and we can only provide about 120,000 metric tons, although we are the poultry capital of Nigeria with the largest concentration of poultry farmers,” he said.

The Commissioner called on farmers who have benefited from the programme to ensure the continuity of the initiative by re-investing some of their profit into the business to boost poultry production further.

In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Kehinde Jokotoye, commended the poultry farmers for using the government’s 30 per cent discount on feed to enhance their business.

According to the State Coordinator for OGSTEP, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odusi, the program is a multi-sectoral initiative that includes agriculture as one of its sectors. Its main goal is to increase food security and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

The service provider, the offtaker, and farmers worked together to make the intervention timely and effective, as previously noted by Dr. (Mrs.) Oluseyi Olugbire, the OGSTEP Agric. Project Manager.

Mr. Ahmed Alli, the head of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Mowe Zone, and a representative of the farmers, expressed gratitude to the State Government for the assistance provided to the poultry farmers, stating that it would significantly lessen the difficulties they encounter.

Source: Tribune Online

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