FG to create 1m jobs from eggs production, sales

The Federal Government has said egg production, processing and marketing could create about one million jobs through its National Egg Production (NEGPRO) Scheme.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh said this in Abuja at a meeting with the Technical Committee on National Egg Production.

Ogbeh expressed optimism that the country would be selfsufficient in egg production through the scheme, by which poultry value chain would be developed across the 36 states of the country including FCT.

The minister said the scheme would be inaugurated in Ondo State and subsequently in other states of the country.

“The ministry will work with the committee and with the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), we will achieve the goal of the scheme.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Toyin Taiwo, said in a document that the scheme was aimed at strengthening egg production, processing and consumption in the country.

Taiwo, who is also the Director, Animal Husbandry in the ministry, said the scheme would help diversify the economy and increase the contribution of agriculture to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

“The scheme is for the period of five years and at full operation nationwide, it is expected to provide about 50 million table eggs daily for local consumption, export, processing into egg powder for use in confectioneries and pharmaceuticals,” he said. [NAN]