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The University of Ilorin has secured a loan of N600, 000, 000 from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to establish and run an Integrated Commercial Poultry Farm to boost the production of eggs and chicken in the country.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Mikhail Buhari, while featuring on ‘Table Talk’, an interactive current affairs programme on UNILORIN 89.3FM last Monday.
Prof. Buhari, who explained that the University of Ilorin was the only institution that won the highly competitive loan, said that when it comes on stream, the GG Max Poultry Farms would play a key role in the agro-based business towards the revival of the poultry sub-sector to reduce importation and close the existing demand and supply gap of eggs and allied poultry products.
Speaking on the genesis of the project, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor,who is the Chairman of the Steering Committee of Unilorin-CBN Integrated Commercial Poultry Farm, said that the award was consequent upon the brilliant proposal submitted by the University of Ilorin, which was rated as the best of the presentations made by the competing universities.
The renowned Professor of Pathology said that the loan was released to the Zenith Bank and it has dropped into the institution’s account.
He added that the Farm would not only place the University of Ilorin on the map of institutions with such fantastic projects but would also serve as a training ground for the students of the University pursuing different programmes such as Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture.
Prof. Buhari added that the University would be running the Farm with the support of an External Consultant and former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, who has been working day and night to ensure the success of the project.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, who was accompanied to the studio by the Director, Unilorin Consultancy Services, Prof. Alfred Adegoke and a representative of the consultancy team, Prof. Ayokunle Afolabi Toye, explained that the Farm is situated at the South Western Corner of the expansive landmass of the University at Amoyo in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
He added that the project would certainly bridge the gap between demand and supply of poultry products and enhance food security.
Prof. Buhari disclosed that when fully operational, the Farm would be producing about 5,000 broilers per week, and raising 9,000 day-old broilers weekly, adding that it would also maintain a layers’ population of 16,000, which translates to 3, 679, 200 eggs per year.
He added that the project is also targeted at building the spirit of entrepreneurial skills among students as it would also generate employment opportunities and boost the local and national economy.
The Chairman added that the target market of the products is the entire nation while retailing would also be done on campus for the benefit of staff and students of the University as the people in town would also have the opportunity of buying at retail level.
According to Prof. Buhari, retail outlets would sell eggs and chickens. The chicken can be live, processed, whole, parts, or barbecued with retail outlets on campus, Tanke, and Post Office areas of Ilorin metropolis as well as Amoyo, in Ifelodun Local Government area.
Prof. Buhari, who pointed out that the project would be run as a typical business venture with its own Board of Director, which would be accountable to the Vice-Chancellor, also disclosed that the feed mill component is expected to produce 5 tons per day.
Adding his voice to the discussion, Prof. Adegoke described the Project as one of the best things to happen to the University since its establishment.
Also speaking, Prof. Toye said that the Project would also be open to students for part-time job for them to make some money as it would also train those who will come on SIWES and industrial attachment.
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