Jigawa Signs $10m Deal with Indian Firm to Establish Modern Poultry Hatchery
The Jigawa State Government has signed a $10 million joint venture agreement with India’s Srinivasa Farms Private Limited to establish a modern poultry hatchery aimed at strengthening poultry production and supporting smallholder farmers.
The proposed facility is expected to be the first modern hatchery of its kind in Northern Nigeria and forms part of the state government’s efforts to transform agriculture and improve food security.
According to a statement by Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Umar Namadi, the agreement provides for Srinivasa Farms to hold a 60 per cent equity stake in the venture, while the Jigawa State Government will own the remaining 40 per cent.
Governor Namadi, who presided over the signing ceremony, described the partnership as an important milestone in the state’s agricultural transformation agenda, expressing confidence that it would create new opportunities for poultry farmers.
“I am confident that this project will revolutionise the poultry industry, not only in Jigawa State and Northern Nigeria, but across the country. It is also part of our efforts to support the federal government’s agenda on food security,” the governor said.
Namadi explained that the partnership followed engagements with Srinivasa Farms, including a visit by a state delegation to the company’s facilities in India, where officials observed its poultry operations and programmes for supporting smallholder farmers.
He added that the agreement included provisions for training, technical guidance and other forms of support to help smallholder poultry farmers improve production and strengthen their businesses.
Speaking on the project, Srinivasa Farms Vice President, Senthil Kumar Krishnan, said the joint venture would focus on empowering rural communities and improving poultry production efficiency through technical services and quality products.
Krishnan noted that poultry farmers in Jigawa currently rely on supplies of day-old chicks from distant locations, including Kaduna, with prolonged transportation sometimes affecting the quality of the birds by the time they arrive.
He said local production would help address the challenge by ensuring farmers had access to quality chicks when needed.
“By producing the chicks locally, we will be able to address these challenges. We will work with the government to provide the best possible support to farmers so that they can obtain quality chicks when they need them,” he said.
The company’s vice president added that its support would extend beyond supplying day-old chicks to include technical assistance and guidance on poultry management.
According to him, improved production practices would help farmers achieve better results, increase efficiency and improve profitability.
“That is our main target,” Krishnan said.
Jigawa Signs $10m Deal with Indian Firm to Establish Modern Poultry Hatchery