Speeches

2nd Annual PANLAG International Poultry Exhibition And Conference

Oct 14, 2008 - Poultry as an important sub-sector in Agricultural industry has been a major supplier of meat and nutritional products to many homes, restaurants, nations, and a means of livelihood for many. Since food is one of the basic needs of man, this industry has remained very relevant and critical to the survival of society.

Despite the various challenges that have confronted poultry farmers over the years, I am impressed that they have remained undaunted and committed to make sure that poultry products continue to be a major food and menu of many. It is against this background that I feel delighted to join you here, ladies and gentlemen as you hold the 2nd annual PANLAG International Poultry exhibition and conference.

Globally, poultry products have become important delicacies on the dinning tables in many homes. The production and supply of chicken, turkey, duck meat and chicken eggs have continued to dominate food market as many families view the absence of the products, especially during festive periods as a major minus to the festive mood. Besides the fact that it is a major contributor to the gross domestic products and foreign exchange earnings of many nations, it is perhaps one of the largest employers of labour.

In countries like China where one third of poultry meat consumed globally is produced, one would imagine the number of jobs that these enterprises will create annually. It is also on record that India is the top producer of chicken followed by China and Brazil. Obviously, these countries would not need to depend on imported chicken products to meet their domestic demands. I believe we can draw inspiration and challenges from them.

In Lagos State, poultry farming and products have been playing a major role to support food security and enhance economic development. It is also a source of income for many families. Job opportunities are also being provided through the sales of livestock feeds, drugs and other materials needed in the industry.

The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Proffering solutions to the challenges facing our poultry farmers in the State’ therefore is most appropriate. I personally believe that efforts should be made by all stakeholders to first address the problems that hinder the growth of the industry. For instance, there should be adequate training for farmers, auditors and all personnel involved in chicken production. Stringent record is important for quality control, traceability and disease control.

We need to address challenges such as management of limited agricultural resources, poor funding, instability, poor co-ordination of policies and elasticity of the market and absence of proper monitoring of operators in the market. When the poultry industry experienced a major crisis through the outbreak of the Avian Influenza otherwise called the bird flu, it dealt a major blow to many poultry farms as government was compelled to destroy many chickens to avoid its spread across the State.

Last year, the State government destroyed more than 800,000 birds including chickens as part of moves to curtail the spread of the deadly disease. Over eleven million naira was also paid as compensation to the affected farmers and various farms were depopulated and disinfected. With this timely intervention, the disease has been put under control and, as a government, we are exploring avenues to encourage farmers and guarantee stability in the industry.

You will recall that the State government in its determined effort to ensure that safe and quality poultry products are supplied into the market and reduce animal mortality, Ultra Animal Hospital at Oko-oba, Agege, was built and equipped with a standard diagnostic laboratory and animal diseases drug store. A standard Livestock Inputs Quality Control Laboratory was also built to ensure food security.

You will remember that poverty alleviation is part of the policy thrust of this administration as contained in the State’s Ten Point Agenda and we believe that agriculture could be used as a vehicle to achieve our goals and enhance the living standard of our people. We are therefore committed among other things, to programmes such as Marine/Aquaculture Development, accelerated poultry production scheme, establishment of community based agro-processing centres, replication of fish farm estates and establishment of piggery estates.

Our challenges notwithstanding, we can explore the benefits inherent in globalisation to find out the best practices, methods and polices adopted in other developed nations to improve poultry farming and food production. There are modern equipment, materials and adequate education that we can get to enrich and deepen our knowledge of the operators of the industry to get results.

As stakeholders, your co-operation and support are needed to complement government’s efforts. As a government, we are ready to play our own part and ensure that not only poultry farmers achieve considerable results in food sustenance but farmers generally in the state are supported to compete favourably with their counterparts abroad and ensure food security in Lagos and the nation. We can make Lagos the food basket of the nation.

As you hold the 2nd annual PANLAG International Poultry Exhibition and Conference, I congratulate the executive members and members of your organisation on today’s occasion, and wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you and God bless.

“Eko O ni baje!”

Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
Governor of Lagos State