The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar said the 2019 projection by the Ministry shows that the country consumes 1.8 million metric tons of poultry meat annually but produces only 551,000 metric tons, leaving it with a deficit of 529,000 metric tons.
Abubakar stated this on Monday while commissioning a demonstration cottage poultry processing facility at Dei-Dei market in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said the facility will set the pace for the transformation of the livestock sub-sector in line with international best practices as well as provide a clean and hygienic environment for the processing of the birds in the best interest of consumers.
He pointed out that over 85 million people are currently involved in one form of poultry business or another making intervention in the poultry sector imperative for job creation and income generation for farmers, processors and marketers as well as for the country.
According to the Minister, there are numerous and diverse potentials within the poultry value chain which have provided ample opportunities and raw material for small, medium and large scale businesses to thrive in Nigeria thus creating numerous jobs, increasing means of livelihood and also improving nutrition in several homes.
