NALDA commissions 30,000 birds capacity integrated farm estate in Yobe

The President of Nigerian Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan has commissioned an integrated farm estate in Yobe State built by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).

 The farm estate which houses 10 poultry pens that contain 30,000 old layers and an incubation centre is sitting on 20 hectares of land, and is expected to produce about 250,000 noilers annually for sales.

Located at Gasamu, Jakusko local government in Yobe State, the farm estate has 30 youth who are the beneficiaries, to manage the birds in a one person for 1000 birds arrangement.

Speaking at the commissioning during the weekend, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, said,” we are here today for the commissioning of this 30,000 bird capacity farm estate which is specially made to produce boilers.

“This centre is like a reproduction centre that will be producing our locally improved birds that will be distributed across the country in order to encourage our local breeds and maintain our old stocks.”

He said the farm estate which commenced production immediately is expected to generate N1.1 million daily from sales of birds alone and N400 million annually for the farmers.

 “This farm has a capacity of generating 850 eggs daily and generating N1.1 million daily from the sales of birds only.

“And these eggs will also be incubated as we have an incubation centre here in order to produce day-old chicks that will be sent to other poultry houses across the country. Annually, we are expecting to have not less than N400 million generated from this farm,” Prince Ikonne noted. 

He explained that the incubation centre will produce the parent stock which will lay eggs the production of day old noilers for sales, with the production capacity of 250,000 annually.

 While the 30,000 birds will be used for egg and meat production for the 30 benefiting farmers.

 “The youths from this immediate community are the first set of beneficiaries which we believe will engage them meaningfully as they will be making their money from this centre.

“We believe that it will reduce unemployment and this community has been enjoying peaceful coexistence within themselves, that this farm will increase that peace within them.

“I want to thank the host community, especially the President of the Senate for his support and the Governor of the state for providing us the enabling environment to see that the desire of Mr President is achieved.

“NALDA integrated farm estates are meant to empower the community, to develop the land within the community, empower the youth, create employment and reduce hunger in our land”, Ikonne added.

On the sustainability of the farm estate, the NALDA boss said that the Authority has engaged Prime Farm to manage the farm estate, while Jaiz Bank and other banks will be its financial partner.

“The firm that will manage this farm (Prime Farm) are already on ground, and we work with Jaiz bank and other banks as our bankers in order to make sure that this project is sustained,” Ikonne said.

The President of the Senate, Senator Lawan while commissioning the farm estate, said it will produce chicks for sales and distribution across the country.

“So it means it is a special bird, anyone who wants our type of chicks will get it from here, it means there will be a lot of trading and marketing between this Gasamu farm Centre and all parts of Nigeria.

The Senate President expressed optimism that the farm estate will project the name of the community, and cause the establishment of poultries around the local government and the state.

“Because of this project, Gasamu will be prominently shown in the Nigerian map, and this is something that is very important to us as a community.

“That means we are going to have poultry farms coming up across this zone, particularly in Jakusko local government.

“So, I believe that very soon, we will see an increase in the number of poultry farms in this particular zone. This is one of the immediate benefits and I will urge our people not to lose this opportunity,” he noted.

While commending President Buhari for the approval of the project, Senator Lawan appealed to NALDA to increase the production capacity of the poultry, stating that the 250,000 chicks annually may not be enough for the community alone.

“I want to appeal to NALDA that we want the capacity to grow beyond 250,000 chicks per annum, because I want to assure you that our people will patronise this, they will exhaust the 250,000 chicks and they will need more.

“Presently 30 youths will be engaged to manage the farm, this is only the direct employment, if you look at the indirect opportunities when you establish poultry farms across this zone, you would have put in many youths to manage these farms,” Senator Lawan added.

The Governor of Yobe State, Mai-Mala Buni in his address, said the project is the first of its kind in the state.

Governor Buni who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government Baba Wali urged NALDA and the beneficiaries to ensure success of the centre in line with the state’s objective of introducing new ideas for effective production.

“I commend NALDA for establishing the centre which I consider a remarkable complementary effort of the present administration towards revitalization of agriculture for prosperity and a stronger nation.

“I want to use this opportunity to tell you that we are ready to cooperate with NALDA to ensure that this project sustained,” the governor added.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mahammed Abubakar, said the project is a fulfilment of the aspiration and promise of President Buhari.

The Minister who was represented by the Executive Secretary of Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Professor Garba Sharubutu assured the Senate President of the commitment of the Ministry to partner him and NALDA in order to improve the livelihood of rural communities.

“As a ministry, we challenge the state government, the local government, the traditional rulers to ensure that this project is not abandoned, that this project should be protected,” the Minister added.

The Emir of Bade, HRH Abubakar Suleiman, commended NALDA, Senator Lawan and the State government for bringing the farm estate to Gasamu community.

“I lack words to appreciate the Senate President and NALDA. We thank you, we thank the President of Nigeria, we thank the Yobe state government for doing everything to us, like Oliver Twist, we always ask for more.

“This project will never be a failed project, that is our own assurance, this is not the only project NALDA is doing here, there are agricultural projects that NALDA is also pursuing.

“We assure you that you will never regret what you have done, on behalf of each and every one that is in this community we thank you very much for choosing this place to start this project,” the Emir noted.

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