LAPO Household Poultry Initiative (LAHPI), on Wednesday, commenced its two-day annual fair tagged “Chicken Fair 2024, enhancing livelihood”, a programme designed to ameliorate the plight of the people in the yuletide season
In his welcome address, the Executive Director, Lift Above Poverty Organisation, LAPO, Dr. Honestus Ayo Obadiora, said the chicken fair was a landmark event and testament to the LAHPI’s shared commitment to empowering poultry farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the country.
He stated that LAHPI, since its establishment in August 2022, has made significant strides in improving the nutritional status and economic well-being of domestic poultry farmers.
Dr. Obadiora informed that LAPO Household Poultry Initiative has empowered farmers to enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability in poultry farming through the provision of financial support, modern inputs, and extension services.
“This landmark event, themed Enhancing Livelihood, is a testament to our shared commitment to empowering farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria.
“We have empowered farmers to enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability in poultry farming through the provision of financial support, modern inputs, and extension services.
“LAHPI has disbursed over One Billion, Nine Hundred Three Million, Ninety-Eight Thousand (1,903,098,000) to 1,466 poultry farmers across the country from its inception till date”, Obadiora revealed.
Continuing, the LAPO Executive Director said: “The Chicken Fair 2024 serves as a dynamic platform for collaboration and innovation with following objectives:
“Connect stakeholders in the poultry value chain to foster meaningful partnerships; showcase innovations in modern farming practices and technologies.
“Provide capacity-building training to equip farmers with the tools they need for success; and Promote sustainable agriculture to support Nigeria’s food security agenda”.
He added: “Through exhibition booths, training sessions, and interactive networking opportunities, this event offers farmers and industry players the chance to share knowledge, explore financing options—including LAHPI’s unique loan products—and discover new market avenues.
“We are confident that the outcomes of this fair will include increased sales, improved livelihoods, and greater awareness of the pivotal role poultry farming plays in achieving sustainable development.
“Together, let us seize the opportunities this fair presents to revolutionize the poultry industry and transform lives”, Obadiora.
On his part, the Director of Animal Husbandry and Food Security, Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Enodolomwonyi Otamere, who represented the Permanent Secretary, commended the efforts of LAHPI in organizing the chicken fair, which according to him would afford the people of adequate consumption of chicken to increase the intake of protein.
He said the Edo State Government is keenly interested in poultry farmers and has rendered assistance to over 25,000 farmers in the state.
He explained that the Edo State Government has established over 10,000 bird processing plants in the state and reiterated its resolve to continually partner with the poultry farmers to achieve their goals.
Also, the Chairman of Poultry Farmers Association in Edo State, Jolly Idelegbagbon, reassured of his association’s commitment towards the realisation of the dream of LAHPI, disclosing that each chicken goes between 20,000 and 25,000 and subsidised rate, while turkey goes for between 80,000 and 150,000. Also, a crate of eggs is 4,500 and 5,500.
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