In order to meet the meat demands of over 24 million Lagosians, which stands at 1.4 million of head of cattle yearly, a total of 1,380,000 head of cattle will be required to bridge the deficit gap in the state. 

   
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae, disclosed this at the inception workshop of the Technical Cooperation Facility Project Feasibility and Value Chain Analysis of the Red Meat Value Chain, organised by the state government in partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.
 
“Lagos State with a human population of over 24 million currently requires a total of 1.4 million head of cattle valued at over N490b yearly, while local production from existing feedlots in the state currently stands at 12,000 head of cattle. 
  
“This leaves a gap of over 1,380,000 head of cattle, which is sourced from other states of the federation and neighboring countries. It is, therefore, clear that a viable investment niche exists in this lucrative value chain, which accounts for about five per cent of the state GDP,” Emokpae said.
  
She said strategic plans are being developed and implemented to bridge the yearly consumption deficit, as part of measures to boost food security and also enhance the supply of wholesome beef in the state.
   
Emokpae said the workshop was aimed at exposing investors to the investment opportunities available in the Ministry’s Feedlot Estate Project, which span cattle production, processing, logistics, beef marketing, and distribution, among others. 
    
She added that the workshop was also targeted at identifying the project capacity needs, evaluating environmental issues that could arise during its implementation, and proffering solutions to mitigate them. 
  
The Permanent Secretary explained that in view of the inherent economic potential of cattle production, and the need to enhance the supply of wholesome beef in Lagos, and by extension contribute to the attainment of the state’s food security agenda, the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu commenced work on the establishment of a cattle feedlot project for which a 750Ha parcel of land was acquired at Igbodu, Epe. 
 
Emokpae said a total of 250Ha has been cleared and parceled into lots of five ha each for allocation to investors, adding that the feedlot project will also facilitate beef traceability among many other health benefits for Lagosians, generate income for investors, create jobs, and stimulate economic activities within the project community. 
 
While calling on other development partners and investors to join the state in actualising the dream of making the state food-secured, Emokpae said aside the feedlot project, opportunities also exist in other areas of the red meat value chain of which investors can take advantage and make good returns on investment. 

These, according to her, include the establishment of 18 semi-mechanised and eight mechanised abattoirs established in various locations across the state.
  
“Others are the establishment of meat hubs and model meat shops with a view to improving current levels of meat hygiene, guaranteeing food safety, and raising consumer confidence; transportation and logistics of live animals and carcasses to satellite abattoirs and markets respectively, through specialised and licensed delivery systems.”

  
“The export potential of the red meat value chain is also quite viable. Tripe, cattle horn, hides, and others are exported to countries in Europe and Asia for value addition. For example, cattle horns are very valuable for making high-value cups, saltshakers, cutlery, key holders, necklaces, and many other products, which constitute part of a multi-billion-dollar industry on the international market. 
   
“In this direction, the state government is blazing the trail through the establishment of the Lagos State By-Product Processing Centre at Oko-Oba Agege. This centre, which is the first of its kind in the country is almost at the completion stage,” Emokpae said.
   
In his remarks, FAO Nigeria Representative, Mr. Fred Kafeero who was represented by Mrs. Adeola Akinrinlola, commended the state government for demonstrating high commitment to develop the livestock sector through the establishment of the cattle feedlot farm and expressed the readiness of his organisation to provide a timely, efficient and cost-effective range of managerial and technical advisory services to ensure the success of the initiative.