PRESS RELEASE
In its continuous effort to promote youth empowerment, food security, and sustainable agribusiness, the Ondo State Government has unveiled 12,000 day-old chicks under its newly launched poultry farming programme tagged “Ediye Irorun” (Ease Chicken Project).
The initiative, which commenced at the Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC), Isuada, Owo, marks a significant step in the state government’s drive to empower young people across the three senatorial districts to become self-reliant in poultry production and agribusiness.
Speaking during the official unveiling of the scheme, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Agribusiness, Mr. Rotimi Akinsola, described the programme as a practical, business-oriented approach to youth empowerment and food security in the state.
“We’re starting here in the Northern Senatorial District, and from here, we will replicate the programme in the other two districts,” Akinsola said. “The goal is to train, empower, and make Ondo State protein-sufficient while creating business opportunities for our youths.”
He explained that the chicks will be distributed to participating lead farmers and trainees at the centre, where they will undergo six to eight weeks of intensive training and mentorship under experienced poultry farmers.
According to Akinsola, the programme is designed in phases — beginning with training, mentorship, and hands-on poultry management within a controlled environment. Successful trainees will thereafter be supported to establish their own poultry farms.
He further explained that participants will receive stipends during the training period, while proceeds from the sale of mature birds will be shared among them as profit to serve as seed capital for their individual ventures.
“This is one of the most practical empowerment programmes ever introduced in Ondo State. It combines training, production, and profit-sharing. Mr. Governor deserves commendation for this initiative,”
Akinsola, therefore,commended Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his visionary leadership and commitment to agricultural transformation in the state.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Livestock, Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC), Mr. James Akinbuwa, described the initiative as a six-week rolling plan designed to sustain production, profitability, and market readiness.
“It takes six weeks to grow the day-old chicks to marketable size, averaging over two kilograms. We already have a ready market for them. Amo Farms, our partner, supplies the chicks and also serves as the offtaker. So, before production starts, the market is already secured,” Akinbuwa explained.
He emphasized that the project targets unemployed youths and vulnerable women, adding that the profit-sharing model ensures that every participant earns tangible financial benefits and gains practical experience.
“This project will move thousands out of joblessness into productive engagement. At the end of every six-week cycle, participants will share net profit, which will serve as capital to start their own poultry ventures,” he said.
On logistics and feed supply, Akinbuwa assured that all necessary inputs had been adequately provided to guarantee a smooth operation of the first phase.
“The feed is available and everything is ready. In the coming weeks, we’ll move to the Southern Senatorial District in Ore for the next training round, and after that, to the Central District. Everything will run simultaneously to achieve maximum impact across the state,” he added.
It will be recalled that the theoretical training of participants took place about three weeks ago at the Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC), Isuada, where trainees were exposed to the fundamentals of poultry management, business planning, and cooperative enterprise.
With the practical phase now underway, the “Ediye Irorun” Poultry Programme is expected to empower thousands of youths and women across Ondo State, create jobs, boost local food production, and strengthen the agricultural value chain in line with the Aiyedatiwa Administration’s OUR EASE Agenda on sustainable development.
Post a Comment