The Plateau government has purchased a large quantity of eggs from the state chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) in an offtake agreement.

Governor Simon Lalong revealed this on Monday in Jos while distributing the mopped-up eggs.

Mr Lalong said that the measure was designed to alleviate the plight of farmers caused by the recent egg glut in Plateau.

He said the mop-up was the state’s first intervention in addressing the challenges facing poultry farmers in Bauchi.

The governor, represented by the secretary to the state government, Danladi Autu, said that the state government would sustain the intervention by making them suppliers of eggs for the school feeding programme.

He added that poultry farmers had contributed to the state’s internally generated revenue, in addition to creating employment for the youths.

According to him, the government will do anything possible to secure the poultry business in Bauchi.

Also, the agriculture commissioner, Hosea Finangwai, said schools, hospitals, prisons and orphanages in Bauchi would be the first beneficiaries of the mop-up.

PAN chairman in Bauchi, Johnson Bagudu, commended the government for the gesture.

Mr Bagudu said the measure would also help bring back many farmers who had left the business and appealed to the incoming government to sustain the gesture.

One of the beneficiaries and chairperson of the Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria in Plateau, Kyenpiya Nyabam, commended the government for the gesture.

Ms Nyabam said 2,000 orphans in Bauchi would benefit from the eggs.

(NAN)