The Ogun State Government has expanded its poultry processing capacity by an additional 1.3 million birds annually with the completion of a 5,000 birds per day processing facility at Ajegunle Farm Settlement in Odeda Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Honourable Bolu Owotomo, disclosed this during a tour of Ajegunle Farm Settlement, Eweje Farm Institute, and Odo Fufu communities in Odeda and Yewa South Local Government Areas.
The visit formed part of the first phase of facility inspections of ongoing and completed agricultural projects across the state under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, OGSTEP.
Owotomo said the new facility would significantly reduce poultry importation while strengthening local production and value addition.
He explained that Ajegunle Farm Settlement, which has been designated as a poultry hub, currently hosts about 400 resident farmers and continues to attract private sector investment due to the availability of modern complementary infrastructure.
According to him, facilities provided at the settlement include blast freezers, cold rooms, waste processing units, a warehouse with fitted offices, and poultry pens with a combined capacity of 20,000 birds.
He added that a private investor has recently completed the construction of an additional 13,000 capacity poultry pen, further underscoring the economic potential of the hub.
The commissioner disclosed that 28 agricultural projects have been completed across Ogun State in the last two years through OGSTEP.
He noted that other intervention programmes such as the Value Chain Development Programme, OG CARES, and the Special Agro Industrial Processing Zones have also played key roles in reviving the agricultural sector.
“These projects are designed to increase food productivity, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and reduce post harvest losses in Nigeria, which are currently estimated at about three point five trillion naira annually,” Owotomo said.
He also expressed concern over Nigeria’s low per capita chicken consumption, which he said ranges between 1.7kg and 2kg, compared to 13kg in Ghana, 36kg in South Africa, and 46kg in Brazil. Despite importing about 70 per cent of its poultry requirements, he noted that consumption levels in Nigeria remain significantly low.
At the Eweje Farm Institute, Owotomo said the construction of 10 poultry pens with the capacity to produce 10,000 birds each, alongside five four bedroom residential buildings, would further strengthen Ogun State’s ambition to become Nigeria’s leading poultry hub.
In Odo Fufu, Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area, the commissioner inspected a cassava processing facility built to serve farmers within the axis. He said the project would enhance value addition and increase farmers’ income.
On sustainability, Owotomo said the state government was encouraging farmers to take ownership of the facilities, stressing that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security would ensure strong monitoring and evaluation, supported by Public Private Partnerships, to guarantee long term viability.
“There will be proper oversight and collaboration with the private sector to ensure these facilities remain productive and sustainable,” he said.
In separate remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Angel Adelaja, and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, said the projects would boost agricultural productivity and strengthen Ogun State’s economy.
Also speaking, the Principal of Odeda Training Institute, Mr Ademola Benco, and the Chairman of Ajegunle Farm Settlement, Mr Rotimi Sogunle, described the projects as unprecedented, noting that full utilisation would further increase agricultural output in Ogun State and beyond.
The commissioner was accompanied on the tour by the Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, Hon Waliu Owode, as well as directors from the ministry.
