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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has said the establishment of a $70 million integrated animal feed manufacturing facility by Olam Agri in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, will significantly reduce the cost of poultry and fish production, ultimately making chicken, eggs and fish more affordable for residents of the state and neighbouring communities.
Oborevwori, who stated this yesterday while performing the groundbreaking ceremony of the facility, said the investment would address one of the major challenges confronting livestock and aquaculture farmers in the South-South and South-East, where the absence of large-scale feed manufacturing plants had forced producers to depend largely on supplies transported from the South-West and Middle Belt at considerable cost.
The governor described the project, which is expected to produce 450,000 metric tonnes of poultry feed and nearly 100,000 metric tonnes of aquafeed annually, as a major breakthrough in his administration’s efforts to industrialise Delta State, strengthen agricultural production, attract private investment and create economic opportunities under the MORE Agenda.
He said the investment was a direct outcome of the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit held in August 2026, stressing that the decision of Olam Agri to establish the facility in Ogwashi-Uku demonstrated growing investor confidence in the state’s business environment, security and infrastructure.
According to him, animal feed accounts for between 60 and 80 per cent of the cost of livestock and poultry production, making its availability and affordability critical to reducing food prices and improving the profitability of agricultural enterprises.
“Animal feed accounts for between 60 and 80 per cent of livestock and poultry production costs,” the governor said, expressing confidence that the facility would reduce transportation expenses, improve access to quality feed and help farmers produce chicken, eggs and fish at more competitive prices.
Oborevwori explained that beyond reducing production costs, the investment would create a reliable market for farmers cultivating maize, soyabeans and other agricultural raw materials, thereby strengthening the agricultural value chain, encouraging increased cultivation and contributing to food security.
He disclosed that the state government provided approximately 99.99 acres of land for the project at no cost to the investors and paid the necessary compensation to facilitate its take-off, describing the gesture as part of deliberate measures to remove obstacles to investment and accelerate industrial development.
The governor, however, warned individuals and groups against demanding illegal payments from investors or interfering with the construction of the facility, stressing that his administration would not tolerate practices capable of discouraging investment.
“I have repeatedly told the investors not to give money to anybody in the name of facilitating their project. We do not encourage such practices, and nobody should demand illegal payments from investors,” he warned.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders and youths in Ogwashi-Uku and surrounding communities to protect the investment and cooperate with the company to ensure that construction proceeded without disruption.
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Oborevwori attributed the company’s decision to locate the facility in Delta partly to improvements in security, road infrastructure and accessibility, noting that the state government would continue to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He also disclosed that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku had indicated the availability of about 8,000 hectares of land for prospective investments, expressing optimism that the community could become an important industrial and agricultural investment destination.
Earlier, the President and Global Head of Integrated Feed and Protein at Olam Agri, Sharad Gupta, commended Oborevwori for his personal commitment to facilitating the investment, saying the decision to establish the facility in Delta was informed by the enormous agricultural and commercial potential of the South-South and South-East.
Gupta said Olam Agri, which had operated in Nigeria for about a decade, intended to extend its agricultural productivity programmes to Delta, particularly in maize and soyabean cultivation, to support local sourcing of raw materials and strengthen relationships with farmers.
He identified poultry and aquaculture as sectors with considerable growth potential, noting that increased domestic production would improve food security and help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported frozen fish.
Giving an overview of the investment, the Senior Vice President and Business Head, Integrated Feed and Protein, Nigeria, Amit Agarwal, said Olam Agri currently operated two major facilities in Kaduna and Kwara states, with a combined production capacity of 660,000 tonnes of poultry feed, 150,000 tonnes of aquafeed and 450 million day-old chicks.
He explained that the Ogwashi-Uku facility would add 450,000 tonnes of poultry feed and nearly 100,000 tonnes of aquafeed annually, positioning it among the largest integrated animal feed manufacturing facilities in Nigeria.
Agarwal disclosed that the company also planned to establish an Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in Delta, with the objective of developing the Asaba-Warri axis into a major catfish production hub.
He expressed optimism that the facility would be completed and ready for inauguration in about one year.
The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okonjo, said the community was positioning itself as a major investment destination, disclosing that about 15 multinational and indigenous companies had expressed interest in establishing businesses in the area.
The monarch assured the governor that the traditional institution would continue to cooperate with the state government and genuine investors to promote industrial development and create opportunities for the people.
Earlier, the Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Council, Jude Chukwunwike, described the investment as a significant development for the local government area and Delta State, expressing confidence that the project would stimulate economic activities and create opportunities for residents.
