Niger Hosts $2.5bn Large-scale Ranch Investment

A Brazilian firm is set to establish a large-scale ranch in Niger State to boost livestock production in the Country further.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the $2.5b Livestock investment deal agreed with JBS and JBJ Brazil last year will be kick-started in Niger state to cover 100, 000 hectares of land

Consequently, the Minister of Livestock Development Alh. Idi Mukhtar led a delegation of investors from JBS and JBJ Companies from Brazil to Niger State yesterday.

The Minister disclosed that the visit by the investors is in continuation of realising the commitment had with the firms

He said the State was chosen because of its great potential, including bodies of water, and the commitment of the State Government, especially with the allocation of 1.2 million hectares of land.

Alh. Mukhtar revealed that the visit to the state with  the investors from firms  was to see some sites around the State and determine where to establish the large-scale Ranch which is expected to  have  100,000 Bulls to be brought in by the investors

The governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, expressed delight with the idea of establishing the first ranch in Niger State, considering its comparative advantage to other States.

He noted that the development of livestock in Nigeria has become imperative based on its value chain and economic value, assuring that the state is well-positioned to ensure that the federal government’s livestock development initiative thrives in the state.

The Chairman Niger Foods, Mr Sammy Adigun, earlier explained that the Brazilian companies, JBS and JBJ were bringing investment into the country and are engaged in animal production and processing, adding that the Federal government is facilitating the investment.

Speaking on behalf of the firms, Mr Fabio Maia said they were in the state to study and understand the State’s livestock capacity and use technology to help the country improve its food security and animal production system.