BATN Foundation has launched a poultry development project in Lagos to train 200 prospective and existing poultry farmers as part of efforts to strengthen food production, improve agricultural livelihoods and support the state’s food security agenda.

The “Chicks to Plate” project, implemented in partnership with the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA), will provide participants with practical training in modern poultry production, farm management and agribusiness.

According to the foundation, 40 participating layer farmers will also receive additional enterprise support to help them expand their poultry businesses.

The initiative represents the latest phase of an eight-year agricultural partnership between BATN Foundation and the Lagos State Government, which began in 2018 with the “Fingerlings to Fork” programme focused on aquaculture.

Between 2018 and 2025, the programme trained 1,436 fish farmers in modern aquaculture, processing, packaging, export readiness and farm management. Participants also received production assets, including fish-smoking kilns and tarpaulin ponds.

The poultry initiative comes as the Lagos State Government works to increase the proportion of food consumed in the state that is produced locally.

Lagos currently estimates that local production accounts for about 25 per cent of the food consumed in the state and has set a target of increasing this figure to 50 per cent.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, represented by Director of Agribusiness, Aramide Gansallo, said poultry could contribute to improving access to animal protein while creating employment opportunities and strengthening agricultural value chains.

She noted that supporting poultry farmers with practical knowledge and modern production methods could help address some of the operational challenges limiting productivity in the sector.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Emmanuel Audu, described the project as an extension of the existing partnership between the Lagos State Government and BATN Foundation.

Represented by Bukola Idowu, Audu said the experience gained through the “Fingerlings to Fork” programme created a foundation for extending the partnership into poultry production.

The project will cover modern poultry production, farm management, agribusiness and biosecurity, equipping participants with skills needed to improve productivity and manage poultry enterprises more effectively.

Executive Director of BATN Foundation, Oludare Odusanya, said agricultural development requires more than training, noting that farmers also need practical tools and access to opportunities that can improve the commercial viability of their businesses.

“At BATN Foundation, we believe sustainable agricultural development goes beyond training. It is about equipping farmers with practical skills, improving productivity, strengthening value chains and creating opportunities that translate into lasting economic empowerment,” Odusanya said.

He added that the “Chicks to Plate” project builds on the foundation’s partnership with the Lagos government and is designed to contribute to food security and sustainable agricultural livelihoods.

The additional enterprise support for selected layer farmers could also help participating businesses improve their capacity and expand their operations beyond training.

Programme Manager at LSADA, Aderonke TojuTubi, said the project would strengthen agricultural extension services by giving farmers practical knowledge and exposure to modern production techniques.

The expansion into poultry production highlights the growing role of agriculture as an avenue for enterprise development, employment and food security in Lagos.

For small and growing poultry businesses, access to technical training, enterprise support, improved production practices and stronger agricultural value chains can help address some of the challenges that limit growth.

The project also demonstrates how partnerships between government agencies, development organisations and private-sector foundations can support farmers beyond one-off training programmes.

As Lagos works towards increasing local food production, initiatives that strengthen poultry and other agricultural value chains could create opportunities for farmers, processors, distributors and other businesses operating across the food system.

The “Chicks to Plate” project therefore marks a shift in the BATN Foundation-Lagos partnership from aquaculture into poultry while maintaining a broader focus on improving farmer productivity, strengthening livelihoods and supporting the state’s food production goals.

Source: msmeafricaonline