The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to boost local poultry production and strengthen food security with the launch of a three-day capacity-building workshop for 200 poultry farmers under the “Chicks to Plate” project.
The programme, organised by the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) in collaboration with the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), is designed to equip prospective and practising poultry farmers with modern skills in broiler and layer production and management.
At the flag-off ceremony, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, said the initiative was a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to agricultural transformation, food security, economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
Audu described the programme as another milestone in the eight-year partnership between LSADA and BATNF, which began in 2018 with the “Fingerlings to Fork” project.
He said the aquaculture initiative had, between 2018 and 2025, trained 1,436 fish farmers across Lagos State in fish hatchery production, processing, packaging, value addition, export opportunities and farm management.
According to him, 202 farmers were trained in 2018, 196 in 2019, 203 in 2020, 214 in 2021, 210 in 2023, 207 in 2024 and 204 in 2025.
Beyond capacity building, Audu said the partnership had also delivered critical equipment to beneficiaries to strengthen production and reduce post-harvest losses.
He disclosed that 10 250kg-capacity fish smoking kilns had been donated to 10 groups of fish processors, while 125 individual fish processors received 50kg-capacity smoking kilns.
He added that 40 collapsible tarpaulin fish ponds, measuring 4ft by 4ft by 3ft, were also provided to 40 grow-out fish farmers across the state.
Audu explained that the smoking kilns were fitted with oil extraction technology and dual heat sources using gas and charcoal, thereby promoting cleaner and more efficient processing while improving product quality and the income potential of beneficiaries.
He said the success of the “Fingerlings to Fork” project provided the basis for extending the partnership to the poultry value chain through the “Chicks to Plate” initiative.
According to him, the transition was strategic, given the enormous potential of poultry production to increase the supply of affordable animal protein, create employment and improve household incomes.
“Poultry production remains one of the fastest means of increasing the supply of affordable animal protein, creating employment opportunities and improving household incomes. It is also one of the agricultural enterprises with enormous potential for youth engagement, women empowerment and entrepreneurship,” he said.
Audu disclosed that the 200 participants were selected from LSADA’s farmers’ database, while 40 of them would subsequently receive empowerment support for layer production.
He said the intervention was particularly important because Nigeria’s demand for poultry products continued to outstrip domestic production, with Lagos accounting for a significant proportion of the country’s poultry consumption.
He said the initiative would provide an opportunity to increase local production, reduce dependence on imported poultry products, strengthen food security and stimulate economic growth.
“By equipping our farmers with modern production techniques, improved management practices, sound biosecurity measures and agribusiness skills, this programme will enhance productivity, improve product quality, create sustainable employment opportunities and increase household incomes,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary noted that the initiative aligned with the Lagos State Government’s THEMES+ Development Agenda, particularly its focus on making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, economic diversification, food security, youth empowerment and sustainable environmental management.
He also said it reinforced LSADA’s mandate to promote sustainable agricultural development through extension services, technology transfer, capacity building and the adoption of climate-smart and commercially viable agricultural practices.
Audu commended BATNF for its sustained partnership, technical support and investment in agricultural development in Lagos, describing the collaboration as an example of how public-private partnerships could deliver tangible socio-economic benefits to farmers.
He also praised the management and staff of LSADA for their professionalism and commitment to improving farmers’ livelihoods.
The Permanent Secretary called on other development partners, corporate organisations and non-governmental organisations to partner with the Lagos State Government in strengthening food systems, improving nutrition, creating employment and promoting inclusive economic growth.
He commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for what he described as visionary leadership and continued investment in agriculture, saying the administration was creating opportunities for farmers, agripreneurs and private sector operators.
Audu urged the participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the workshop and translate the knowledge acquired into productive and sustainable poultry enterprises.
1,436 fish farmers trained under previous project
Earlier, the Programme Manager, LSADA, Mrs. Aderonke Toju-Tubi, said the “Chicks to Plate” project was a continuation of the Authority’s efforts to equip farmers with practical skills and modern technologies required to establish profitable agribusinesses.
Toju-Tubi said LSADA, as the agricultural extension arm of the Lagos State Government, remained committed to disseminating improved agricultural technologies, providing advisory services and building the capacity of farmers across the state.
She recalled that the partnership with BATNF began in 2018 with the “Fingerlings to Fork” project, which provided intensive training in fish hatchery production and management, processing, packaging, export opportunities and record keeping.
According to her, 1,436 fish farmers benefited from the programme between 2018 and 2025.
She said the success recorded under the initiative provided a strong foundation for expanding the intervention to the poultry value chain.
“Consequently, the project has been rebranded as ‘Chicks to Plate’ to focus on poultry production and management. This strategic shift is intended to address the challenges confronting smallholder poultry farmers while supporting the State Government’s efforts to increase local poultry production, improve livelihoods and strengthen food security,” she said.
Toju-Tubi said 200 poultry farmers would receive practical and technical training under the current programme, with 40 participants selected for empowerment support at the end of the workshop.
She disclosed that joint monitoring and impact assessment exercises conducted by LSADA and BATNF had shown that previous beneficiaries recorded improvements in productivity, income generation and business expansion.
“These success stories underscore the value of strategic partnerships in promoting sustainable agricultural development and economic empowerment,” she said.
The Programme Manager expressed appreciation to BATNF for its continued support, saying LSADA looked forward to strengthening the partnership and working with other development partners and non-governmental organisations committed to agricultural development in Lagos State.
She urged the participants to take the training seriously and apply the knowledge acquired to establish and expand successful poultry enterprises.
According to her, their success would not only improve their livelihoods but also contribute to the growth of the poultry industry and the overall agricultural economy of Lagos State.
On his part, the General Manager of the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), Mr. Oludara Odusanya, disclosed that the training was a great honour and a strategic partnership aimed at boosting food production in the state.
Represented by the Project Officer, Adetola Oniyelu, Odusanya also charged the participants to take full advantage of the training by sharing ideas, building networks and developing an ecosystem that would make a remarkable difference in the state.
The current training for 200 poultry farmers, which is expected to hold at three different centres, will be a major addition to the 1,436 fish farmers who benefited from previous training programmes conducted between 2018 and 2025 across the state.
