The Lagos State Government is set to partner with the Maize Farmers‘ Association of Nigeria (MAAN) in order to explore the possibilities of maize production.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, made this known over the weekend in Lagos when she received members of the Maize Farmers‘Association of Nigeria.
She explained that the meeting was convened to explore the opportunities available for the sourcing of silage from the partnership.
“Silage is a very cheap and affordable source of feed for livestock in the State, particularly cows, and there is a need for collaboration with the Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria, which is coming on the heels of my visit to the Igbodu Feedlot in Epe,“ the Commissioner said.
Ms. Olusanya said that in this year’s farming season, MAAN would be planting about 167,000 hectares of maize across Nigeria with an average crop output of five metric tonnes/hectare, noting that there is a potential for about 835,000 metric tonnes of silage, which could be available for the Feedlots in the State.
In her words: “Today, we are meeting with representatives of the Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria (MAAN) to explore possible collaboration with the Association to help the State grow its own maize, which would serve as a major source of production for cattle feed“.
“I am particularly delighted about this initiative because it is in line with the State’s Five-Year Agricultural Roadmap, particularly the reform of the red meat value chain.
“As you are aware, the State, in partnership with interested investors, is establishing feedlots and fattening centres that will help with the traceability and hygiene of the cattle before they are slaughtered for consumption,“ she averred.
