UNDP-GEF, SRADev flag off Oke-Aro Piggery Farm biogas, fertilizer production project

Picture Caption: Group photograph of participants at the Project Launch Workshop held on Thursday 22 April 2021 in Lagos.

The long awaited waste-to-wealth project that would help to clean up animal waste, generate energy and results in organic fertilizer production at the Oke-Aro Piggery Farm Lagos State is set to take off.

The project, courtesy of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria) is being funded by the United Nations Development Programme – Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in partnership with the Lagos State Government.

The waste-to-wealth project, at completion, would produce between 1.5 and two tonnes per day of fertiliser and clean biogas of four cubic metres.

Besides, it will also empower the farmers, create employment opportunity and bring relief to the hitherto challenge of waste management at the Oke-Aro Pig Farm, said to be the largest pig farm in West Africa, with about 3,000 farmers, over 240,000 pigs and an annual pork production of over 576,000 tonnes.

At a Project Launch Workshop held in Lagos on Thursday 22 April 2021 organised by SRADev , a not-for-profit organization Executive Director, Dr. Leslie Adogame, while delivering a keynote address expressed delight at the event which coincide with this year’s Earth Day celebration.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             He said the project, Titled “Community Action towards Sustainable Piggery Waste Management, Energy Generation and Organic Fertiliser Production in Lagos State,” would produce between 1.5 and two tonnes per day of fertiliser and clean biogas of four cubic metres upon completion.

The executive director said that the project would empower farmers and generate more employment for the community as the farmers would be saving N20,000 monthly from the disposal of farm wastes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              He went further, “This project is basically a waste to wealth, waste to gas initiative. It is a community grassroots oriented project aimed at restoring the earth to its past glory. We are trying to reuse the waste originally thrown into the river to produce organic fertiliser and biogas.”

Mrs Ibironke Olubamise, National Coordinator, UNDP-GEF SGP, said that UNDP Global Environment Facility(GEF) was created to support environmental initiatives globally.

Olubamise said that part of the objectives for setting aside the GEF was to reduce poverty as well as strengthen governance and gender sensitive issues.

She explained that the project is country driven and the community must take ownership of the project.

Olubamise expressed delight in working with SRADev in making sure that the Oke Aro project was realised.

“I charge everyone to take ownership of the project and make it a success,” Olubamise said.

Earlier, Pastor Adewale Oluwalana, President, Oke Aro Pig Farm Estate, thanked SRADev, UNDP and the Lagos State Government for the partnership.

Oluwalana expressed the commitment of other farmers to making the project a reality.

High Chief Rafiu Adebowale Opere, Baale of Alade, expressed delight at the project that will assist in waste management of the farm. He called on the farmers to support the project so as to improve sanitation in the farm.

Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman Oke-Aro, Mr. Taofeek Obabunmi, an engineer, urged everyone to make sure the farm is clean.

The farm was established by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Agriculture.