April 18, 2024

The Federal Government says the poultry industry in Nigeria contributes over 25 per cent of the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Egg Powder Processing and Utilisation in Nigeria.

The theme of the forum was “Promoting Sustainable Egg Processing and Utilisation for Food and Nutrition Security in Nigeria.’’

He said the poultry industry in Nigeria had made tremendous progress in the last decade, adding that it had grown into an organised and highly productive industry.

“It has become the most commercialised component of the livestock sub-sector, contributing over 25 per cent of the agricultural GDP.

“One of the major products of the poultry industry is egg.’’

Abdullahi said that reports had it that Nigeria was the largest producer of eggs in Africa, with an annual egg production of about 21 billion eggs.

“Egg is one of the most highly nutritious and important foods of animal origin.

“It remains a major source of high quality protein, vitamins and minerals in infant, children and adult’s diets.

“This is why egg is regarded as a complete meal on its own.

“Apart from its direct consumption by humans, egg is an important raw material in the confectionery, beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.’’

He said there was need for a more sustainable and long-term solution to the challenge of egg glut (surplus) in the country.

“Egg processing is a veritable solution to this quagmire because it has more advantages over egg preservation.

“Egg can be processed into dry powder or frozen liquid egg,” he said.

Abdullahi said the focus of the forum was egg powder processing and its utilisation.

According to him, egg powder processing is a value addition procedure that dehydrates the egg and turns it into powder.

He said that government would continue to support science, technology and indigenous innovation in the industry; and also provide incentives to actors in the poultry value chain.

Earlier, Mrs Winnie Lai- Solarin, the Director, Department of Animal Husbandry Services, Ministry of Agriculture, said that egg was an invaluable component of staple food in Nigeria.

Lai- Solarin, who was represented by Mr Victor Egbon, the Deputy Director, Monogastric Division in the ministry, said egg remained a major source of protein, minerals and vitamins in infant, children and adult’s diets.

She explained that egg powder had a wide range of application in confectionery, beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

“No doubts, there is a huge investment opportunity in egg value addition,” Lai- Solarin said.

She said the poultry industry was often faced with challenges of storage, preservation, transportation and marketing of fresh eggs, which always resulted in egg glut at certain periods of the year.

Lai- Solarin said that lots of wastage and economic losses were recorded at those times.

She called on all stakeholders to work together to unlock the full potential of egg powder processing and utilisation in Nigeria.

The director said this would contribute immensely to the realisation of sustainable food and nutrition security in the country. (NAN)