Lagos residents consume an estimated N328 billion worth of cow meat per annum.

About 98 per cent of cattle consumed in Lagos State are from the northern part of the country or from across the border.

The remaining 2 per cent is a shortfall in local production and represents about 181,757 tons of meat or about 1,235,601 heads of cattle per annum.

Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Ibironke Emokpae, made these known on Monday in Lagos.

She represented the commissioner, Ms Abisola Olusanya, at a cattle feedlot screening for 36 investors.

She noted that the feedlot screening was necessary because the transactional value of cattle traded in Lagos State was huge.

She added that when the red meat transformation agenda comes fully into play it would help the state government to eliminate logistics costs of transporting cattle.

Emokpae emphasised also that the cattle feedlots initiative would bridge the demand and supply gap and prevent food crises in the state.

The feedlot represents an intensive production system with the goal of growing and fattening cattle until they reach slaughter weight.

“The partnership with private investors will prevent food crisis associated with ethno-religious crisis, cattle rustling, and zoonotic diseases and encourage animal traceability.

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“The state embarked on the Cattle Feedlot Systems partnership to evolve a model that will bring in investors who are fully ready technically, administratively and financially to kick-start the project,” she said.

Emokpae said government remained focused on enforcing a market structure that ensured a transformation in food systems.

In his remarks, Mr. Ayokunle Omileye, the Project Manager in the ministry noted that the state had acquired about 750 hectares of land for the project.

He added that the state government had cleared about 250 hectares of land for the first phase and would provide road networks, electricity and water supply for investors in the project.

One of the investors, Mr. Olawale Talabi, noted that the project was long overdue, adding that it would bring an end to food crisis in the state.

“I think the ministry has just got it right with the new commissioner because feedlot is very important,

“This will ensure that the cattle are well taken care of, and consumers are sure of the source of meat they eat.

“In addition, we cannot be rearing animals all over the place, but with the feedlot system, just like ranching, there will be quality of meat in Lagos State,” he said.

The Star