Red Meat Value Chain Reform: Lagos Set To Engage Stakeholders
As part of its efforts to “reform and sanitize” the red meat value chain, the Lagos state government has announced plans to engage “relevant stakeholders” across the state
In a statement on Sunday, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya said government officials, especially from the state’s ministry of agriculture will meet with red meat value-chain operators on Wednesday, 3rd, March 2021 at the state secretariat, I Ikeja.
“The administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is set to introduce a lot of reforms in the red meat industry in order to facilitate the development of the sector.
“To ensure the success of the reforms, there is the need to get the buy-in of all relevant stakeholders in the red meat industry.
“This is why the State is hosting the Red Meat Value Chain Stakeholders’ Engagement on Wednesday, 3rd March 2021 at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja,” the Commissioner explained.
Asides from being the largest market for cattle in Sub-Saharan Africa over 50 percent of Nigeria’s red meat production is said to be consumed in Lagos State.
Last month, the state had commissioned a semi-mechanized abattoir in the Bariga/Somolu axis to “curb illegal and unhygienic meat butchering”.
Commenting on the ‘Lagos Meat Reform’ launched by the state in 2019, Olusanya recalled the essence of the three-pronged strategy named Abattoir, Transportation, and Market(ATM).
The strategy, she said, was designed to encourage compliance with health safety protocols and facilitate the delivery of uncontaminated meat products to consumers.
According to Olusanya, implementing these reforms would pave the way for huge revenue in terms of beef export. She, therefore, called for a joint effort to achieve the desired results.
“The export potential for beef is very huge and tapping into the multi-billion dollar market is very possible if stakeholders can take these reforms seriously.
“The change we desire in our red meat industry can be achieved through our collective efforts. The government has its part to play, so do the stakeholders and even the consumers; hence, all hands must be on deck to ensure the revamp of the sector,” she said.
