In a move to bolster food production and enhance agricultural livelihoods, the BATN Foundation has introduced a new initiative in Lagos aimed at equipping both aspiring and current poultry farmers with essential skills. This initiative, known as the “Chicks to Plate” project, seeks to align with the state’s food security objectives by providing comprehensive training in modern poultry practices.
The collaborative effort with the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) involves hands-on training in poultry production, farm management, and agribusiness techniques. This initiative plans to take 200 farmers under its wing, with a subset of 40 layer farmers receiving additional enterprise support to expand their business operations.
This poultry project is a continuation of the longstanding partnership between the BATN Foundation and the Lagos State Government. The alliance first took form in 2018 with the “Fingerlings to Fork” programme, which was centered on aquaculture. Over the years, this programme educated 1,436 fish farmers on modern aquaculture practices, including processing, packaging, and export readiness. Participants also benefited from resources such as fish-smoking kilns and tarpaulin ponds.
Currently, local food production in Lagos meets only a quarter of the state’s consumption needs. The government aims to double this figure to 50 percent, placing greater emphasis on local agricultural production. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, represented by Director of Agribusiness Aramide Gansallo, highlighted poultry farming’s potential in improving protein access, creating jobs, and strengthening agricultural value chains. “Supporting poultry farmers with practical knowledge and modern production methods could help address some of the operational challenges limiting productivity in the sector,” she stated.
Emmanuel Audu, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, echoed these sentiments, describing the project as an extension of the successful collaboration between the Lagos State Government and BATN Foundation. Represented by Bukola Idowu, Audu acknowledged the foundational experience gained from the “Fingerlings to Fork” programme as pivotal for this new poultry initiative.
The “Chicks to Plate” project covers essential topics such as modern poultry production, farm management, agribusiness, and biosecurity. Executive Director of BATN Foundation, Oludare Odusanya, emphasized that sustainable agricultural development involves more than just training. “At BATN Foundation, we believe sustainable agricultural development goes beyond training. It is about equipping farmers with practical skills, improving productivity, strengthening value chains, and creating opportunities that translate into lasting economic empowerment,” Odusanya remarked.
The programme’s design aims at enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agricultural livelihoods, with additional enterprise support intended to help selected farmers expand their operations. Aderonke TojuTubi, Programme Manager at LSADA, noted that this project would strengthen agricultural extension services by providing farmers with practical knowledge and exposure to modern techniques.
The focus on poultry reflects the increasing significance of agriculture in enterprise development, employment, and food security across Lagos. For small and expanding poultry businesses, access to technical training and enterprise support can help overcome growth challenges. The collaboration between government bodies, development organizations, and private foundations exemplifies a model for supporting farmers beyond one-time training initiatives.
As Lagos aims to enhance local food production, initiatives like “Chicks to Plate” that fortify poultry and other agricultural value chains hold promise for farmers, processors, distributors, and other stakeholders within the food system. This project marks a shift in the BATN Foundation-Lagos partnership from fish farming to poultry, maintaining a broader commitment to improving farmer productivity and supporting state food production goals.
Original Story at msmeafricaonline.com