Olam Agri has secured a significant investment opportunity in Delta State, Nigeria, with the acquisition of 99.99 hectares of land in Ogwashi-Uku. The company plans to establish an animal feed plant in the region, aimed at bridging the supply gap in the South-South and South-East. This strategic move is expected to bring production closer to customers and strengthen the local poultry and livestock value chain.
The Delta State Government has presented Olam Agri with a Certificate of Occupancy for the land at Government House, Asaba. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori emphasized that this investment aligns with the administration's commitment to attracting investors and promoting agricultural development. He highlighted the government's determination to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and for investors to grow.
Managing Director of Olam Agri, Amit Agarwal, attributed the company's decision to establish the facility in the region to the existing supply gap. Having successfully operated plants in the South-West, the company seeks to expand its presence in the South-South and South-East. Agarwal expressed gratitude to the state government for supporting the investment and looked forward to collaborating with the government, traditional institutions, and the host community.
Governor Oborevwori commended the traditional institution and other stakeholders for maintaining peace in the region, which is essential for investments. The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Obi Ifechukwudi Okonjo II, urged Olam Agri to ensure that residents of the host community benefit from the project through employment, internship placements, skills development, and technology transfer opportunities.
The proposed facility is expected to have a positive impact on the local poultry and livestock value chain by reducing logistics costs and improving feed availability for farmers in the two regions. This development aligns with Delta State's agenda to expand agricultural productivity and attract private-sector-led industrial investments.
The investment is anticipated to create jobs and support agricultural development in the region. Olam Agri's Managing Director, Amit Agarwal, emphasized the company's commitment to working with the government and the host community to ensure the project's success. The company's expansion plans reflect its confidence in Nigeria's agricultural sector and its potential for growth.
The project is part of a broader effort to address food insecurity in Nigeria. According to a report, 33.5 million Nigerians are expected to face acute food insecurity by mid-2027. The Olam Agri investment is a step towards mitigating this challenge by strengthening the local poultry and livestock value chain and improving feed availability for farmers.
Key points
- Olam Agri has secured 99.99 hectares of land in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, for an animal feed plant.
- The facility aims to reduce the region's dependence on supplies from the South-West and strengthen the local poultry and livestock value chain.
- The project is expected to create jobs and support agricultural development in the region.
