Lagos poultry farmers seek egg powder factory to cut losses

Poultry farmers in Lagos State are appealing to the state government to accelerate the establishment of an egg powder factory, citing millions of naira lost daily due to unsold eggs. The call was made during the annual summit of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Lagos State Chapter.

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We have farms that break hundreds of eggs daily, translating to millions of naira in losses.

Mojeed Iyiola, Chairman of PAN Lagos, highlighted that poor sales are a major challenge, forcing many farms to discard hundreds of eggs daily. "We have farms that break hundreds of eggs daily, translating to millions of naira in losses," Iyiola stated. He acknowledged the government's assistance in building an egg powder factory, but stressed the urgency for it to become operational. "Even if we cannot export immediately, we can at least process the eggs for local consumption. In that area, the Lagos State Government is trying for us. We are only appealing to the government to make the factory operational," he added.

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Even if we cannot export immediately, we can at least process the eggs for local consumption. In that area, the Lagos State Government is trying for us. We are only appealing to the government to make the factory operational.

The summit, themed ‘Flocking to Growth: Transforming Nigeria’s Poultry Industry with Innovation and Investment’, also provided training for farmers on adopting modern technology to enhance productivity and profitability. Iyiola emphasized the need to move away from outdated methods. "As the theme implies, we want to stop using crude methods of running the poultry industry so that farmers can maximise benefits and increase profitability. Some innovations and technologies can move the industry forward with a limited labour force," he explained.

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As the theme implies, we want to stop using crude methods of running the poultry industry so that farmers can maximise benefits and increase profitability. Some innovations and technologies can move the industry forward with a limited labour force.

Experts urged farmers to embrace global standards and modern feeding practices. Professor Olugbenga Ogunwole from the University of Ibadan advised farmers to align their practices with current poultry breeds. "Our people still rely on old poultry literature and outdated practices. Present-day technology must match the present stock that we have. What farmers need to do is feed their birds properly," he said. The establishment of the egg powder factory is seen as a crucial step in preserving excess egg production and reducing waste in the state.

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Our people still rely on old poultry literature and outdated practices. Present-day technology must match the present stock that we have. What farmers need to do is feed their birds properly.