Nigeria egg production hits 1billion

The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has disclosed that Nigeria's  annual eggs production has hit 1billion, valued at about N220 billion,  as the world marked the World Egg Day.

(PAN) President

 PAN President, Dr Ayoola Oduntan said in Lagos on Wednesday on the occasion of the World Egg Day that if 50 percent of the Nigerian population will consume an egg a day, it will produce a daily economic value of N1.7 billion while annual revenue from egg sales will be N620 billion, creating  more jobs and

livelihood for Nigerians.

egg

He put the current per capita consumption per person annually  at 65 eggs, adding that if per capita consumption of eggs increases to 100 eggs per person annually,  the industry will make N340 billion annual revenue.

In term of per capita egg consumption, he said that of Nigeria is still low compared with Mexico 335,China 370, USA 255, Argentina 246 and South Africa 186.

The low level of egg consumption, according to him indicates that there are more malnourished Nigerian children which is not healthy for the nation.

Highlighting the nutritional benefits of egg, Odunta said apart from breast milk, eggs have the highest biologically value protein, containing the richest mix of essential amino acids and vitamins which are vital in body building and strengthening the immune system.

He called on the government to take steps to tackle the threat of malnutrition and boost the campaign to improve food security by directing relevant government agencies to encourage consumption of an egg a day by children, sportsmen and women as done by their counterparts in the US, Canada, Australia among others.

He also urged the government to include an egg a day per Nigerian child in the school feeding programme, prison feeding and for peace keeping operations.