The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with JBJ Brazil, the world’s largest cattle ranching company, has announced plans to establish a large-scale livestock ranch in Niger State.
The new venture, set to revolutionize the country’s livestock sector, forms part of a broader $2.5 billion investment deal aimed at boosting livestock production and ensuring self-sufficiency in dairy products.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar, made the announcement during a visit to the Niger State Government House in Minna.
The minister, leading a delegation of investors from JBS and JBJ companies in Brazil, emphasized that this visit marks a key step toward realizing the commitment made with JBS last year to improve Nigeria’s livestock industry.
“Niger State was chosen due to its vast potential, including abundant water resources and the state government’s commitment, exemplified by the allocation of 1.2 million hectares of land for this investment,” Alhaji Mukhtar stated.
The large-scale ranch, covering an impressive 100,000 hectares, will house 100,000 bulls and is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s livestock production capacity. Financial discussions regarding the project’s full scope are set to continue in the coming months.
The Minister acknowledged that Niger State holds a competitive edge over other regions due to its favorable agricultural conditions, stating that the partnership would help the country achieve dairy self-sufficiency.
Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, represented by his Deputy, Yakubu Garba, expressed excitement about the project, highlighting the state’s unique advantages in livestock development.
“This initiative is vital for the country’s economic growth and food security. We assure the Federal Government and JBJ that Niger State will provide a secure and conducive environment for the success of this project,” Garba said.
Mr. Fabio Maia, speaking on behalf of JBJ Brazil, explained that their visit was focused on assessing Niger State’s livestock capacity and exploring ways to enhance food security through modern agricultural technologies.
He further stressed that the collaboration would serve as a model for future investments in animal production and processing in Nigeria.
The chairman of Niger Foods, Mr. Sammy Adigun, noted that the Federal Government’s facilitation of this investment would foster long-term growth in the country’s livestock sector.
“This partnership is set to bring in transformative changes, not just in livestock production, but in the entire agricultural value chain,” he added.
