Business
‘Poor Infrastructure, Bane Of Pig Farming’
The Asiwaju Union of Oke-Aro Piggery Farm, Lagos, on Tuesday solicited the support of the Federal and Lagos State Governments to boost pig farming. Mr Gbenga Oni, the Public Relations Officer of the union told newsmen that the pig farming had not enjoyed government support. Oni said that the farm was usually flooded during the rainy season, thus impeding production.
According to Oni, road rehabilitation is capital intensive and cannot be handled by cooperative unions. “So, there is the need for the provision of basic infrastructure in the area.
“The pig farm, he noted, offered employment and training to young graduate youths and other people in the neighbourhood. “We have between 150 and 200 graduates in the farm; some of them come on part-time while others are into piggery as a business.
“There are housewives who come to look for daily paid jobs in the farm “So, many graduates have been making a living from the farm and living fulfilled lives. The PRO said that if the government could give the necessary support to the pig farmers, the business would create employment for many youths. Gbenga lamented poor electricity supply in the area, noting that few rich farmers could afford to buy generator as an alternative source of energy. He appealed to both the state and Federal Governments to influence banks to give livestock farmers single digit soft loans. Gbenga commended the effort of the Bank of Agriculture for supporting the union.