NIGERIA – The Kwara State Government has forged a partnership with Amo Byng Nig Limited, a leading producer of poultry feed and concentrates in a move to combat the ongoing poultry feed shortage in Nigeria.
The collaboration aims to enhance local soybean production, a critical component in poultry feed, by supporting and empowering local farmers in the state.
The initiative comes in response to a pressing shortage of soybeans, driven partly by the large-scale exportation of the crop, which has significantly increased the cost of poultry feed production across Nigeria.
Amo Byng Nig Limited has committed to addressing this challenge by providing essential farming inputs to local farmers and guaranteeing the purchase of their soybean harvests.
As part of the pilot program, the company has supplied 300 Kaiama Local Government Area farmers with inputs to cultivate soybeans on 1,500 hectares of land.
This effort spans four communities within the area, reflecting the company’s dedication to revitalizing local soybean production. To further bolster this initiative, the Kwara State Government has allocated tractors to assist farmers with land preparation, thereby enhancing farming efficiency and effectiveness.
Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, Group Managing Director of Amo Byng Nig Limited, underscored the importance of this partnership in mitigating the soybean shortage impacting Nigeria’s poultry industry.
“Our goal is to stimulate local production and alleviate the raw material shortage,” Oduntan stated, emphasizing the company’s commitment to ensuring that farmers have the necessary support and market access for their crops.
On his part, Dr. Ayoola Belgore, the Managing Director of Amo Byng Nig Limited, highlighted the broader vision of the initiative, indicating plans to expand the program to other states beyond Kwara.
“This is just the beginning. We are committed to extending our reach to ensure that more farmers benefit from this initiative and that we can secure a stable supply of soybeans for the industry,” Belgore remarked.
The Kwara State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, praised the company’s efforts and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the project and the local farmers involved.
The initiative has garnered support from key stakeholders, including Funke Sokoya, the Permanent Secretary of the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture, Shuib Alawaye, the Coordinator of the Farmers Group, and Solomon Olawoyin, the Chairman of the Soybean Growers Association.
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