Nigerian government inaugurates egg production plan in Kogi

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, inaugurated on Monday the National Egg Production Scheme (NEGPRO) in Kogi to promote poultry farming in the country.

Vivian Ibe, Official of the National Poultry Office of the Department of Livestock and Animal Services of the ministry, made it known at the inauguration in Lokoja.

Ms Ibe said the plan was aimed at raising awareness and boosting egg production across the country.

“The essence of the plan is to raise awareness aimed at strengthening egg production, marketing capacity and use of poultry products in Nigeria.”

The reception official said that the national egg production plan was a five-year program aimed at promoting economic development, income, livestock and job opportunities in the country.

He said the plan was expected to produce around 500,000 table eggs a day for local consumption, export and processing into powdered eggs for use in the pharmaceutical and confectionery industry.

Ms Ibe said the scheme would equally focus on stakeholder engagement to pilot, facilitate and coordinate egg production.

The ministry’s state coordinator, Shekamang Ayuba, expressed hope that the national egg production plan will have a positive impact on farmers and farmers in the state.

In his words, the Commissioner of Agriculture, David Apeh, praised the initiative of the Federal Government for the establishment of a scheme to promote poultry farming in the country.

Mr Apeh, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Sani Abdulganiyu, thanked the Federal Government for selecting Kogi as one of the first states in the country to benefit from the plan.

The commissioner emphasized that the project will also boost the national economy, food security and job creation for unemployed youth in the state.

He urged farmers in the state to seize the opportunity to enter the scheme.

Present at the inauguration were state representatives of the national egg production, NEGPRO, and some poultry farmers from the Kogi local government areas.

They expressed their willingness to implement the program in the state.