Lagos, PAVE enlighten poultry farmers on eco-friendly waste management, methane reduction – EnviroNews

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In continuation of efforts to reduce methane emission in the atmosphere, the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, in a strategic partnership with the Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE), has organised a one-day workshop aimed at raising awareness and building capacity among 33 livestock farmers at the Aiyedoto Poultry Estate in Ojo.

The event, which held on Friday, June 26, 2026, focused on innovative organic waste management techniques that are designed to significantly reduce harmful methane emissions.

The workshop, which was facilitated by the Executive Director of the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), Philip Jakpor, is a crucial part of the ZeroWaste Ambassadors Project & Capacity Building for Actors in the Waste Management Sector in Lagos State. Additionally, it plays a vital role in the Multi-solving Action to Methane Reduction in Nigeria (MAMRN) Project, a national effort that encourages households and farming communities to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices.

Poultry farming is a cornerstone of food security and economic stability in Lagos State. However, the excessive buildup of poultry manure poses serious environmental issues. When this organic waste is left untreated in open dumps, it breaks down anaerobically, releasing large quantities of methane – a potent climate pollutant that has a much greater warming effect than carbon dioxide.

During the workshop, representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, including Mrs. Oluokun Deborah Adepeju, Senior Agric Officer, highlighted the importance of linking sustainable food production with responsible environmental practices.

Through this collaboration with PAVE, the state government is committed to enhancing the agricultural value chain while ensuring a clean and livable environment. Technical experts at the workshop, such as Ms. Victoria Aghaji, PAVE’s Senior Programmes Manager, guided farmers through effective, cost-efficient processing methods. These included accelerated aerobic composting, safe biological handling, and the basics of capturing waste gases for household biogas production.

Anthony Akpan, the President of PAVE, emphasised that the workshop is a key part of the MAMRN project’s mission, which aims to provide “multi-solving” benefits for the community.

“By changing the way we think about agricultural waste, this initiative tackles public health concerns, urban pollution, and even contributes to global climate objectives. For instance, transforming poultry droppings into nutrient-rich organic fertilizers helps farmers cut down on costly chemical inputs while rejuvenating depleted soils,” he said.

The workshop also featured “The Plastic Detox,” a thought-provoking documentary that explores the extensive impact of plastic pollution on both a global and local scale, while offering practical and scalable solutions for sustainable living.

“Our aim is to cultivate a highly skilled network of environmental stewards within the agricultural sector,” Mr. Akpan stated. “By providing the farmers of Aiyedoto Estate with tools for a circular economy, we’re turning what used to be a costly waste management issue into a valuable green asset.”

The training was well-received by the Aiyedoto Poultry Estate community, whose members recognised that updating their waste management systems would greatly reduce odor complaints and insect problems in nearby areas. Mr. Folusho Adams, the Chairman of the estate, called for assistance in managing and transforming the organic manure that is currently being dumped and wasted in a buffer zone.

The highpoint of the engagement was a visit to the compost dumping site by the team where it was gathered that most of the machines and other infrastructure that would make compost production easier had broken down.  At the site, PAVE President Anthony Akpan and RDI Executive Director Philip Jakpor committed to helping find solutions to these challenges.