Ekiti Targets Top Spot in Broiler Production

The Ekiti State Government says it plans to become the leading producer of broiler chickens in Nigeria while creating jobs for more than 5,000 youths in the poultry value chain over the next three years.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, announced this in Ado-Ekiti during the opening of a training programme for youths and stakeholders on poultry production and good animal husbandry practices.

Boluwade said the Ekiti Broiler Production Scheme began in 2023 with 20 participants and 10,000 birds at the Livestock Development Centre in Erifun, Ado-Ekiti.

He explained that the government renovated poultry facilities and provided feed, day-old chicks, drugs, vaccines and other support materials to participants.

According to him, six additional rearing centres have since been established across the state, while more than 200 youths have completed the programme in four batches.

He added that over 150,000 birds have been raised and sold within and outside Ekiti State.

Boluwade also said the state had received approval to establish a broiler processing plant to reduce the movement of live birds outside the state for processing.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ojo Ebenezer Babatope, said the training was designed to improve farmers’ technical skills and promote better animal husbandry practices.

He added that the government is supporting farmers with a 50 percent subsidy on agro-inputs and land preparation, alongside partnerships with private investors to improve poultry production in the state.