By Chinyere Anyanwu
The Federal Government, in partnership with the Ogun State government, has launched a $12 million agrochemical plant by Springfield Agro Crop Protection Chemical Plant in Sagamu at the weekend.
The agrochemical plant owned by Kewalram Chanrai Group, is part of efforts to boost food security and promote local manufacturing in the country and is expected to drive agricultural productivity and economic growth while reducing dependence on imported agrochemicals by farmers.
Speaking at the commissioning of the agrochemical plant, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, emphasised the plant’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
According to him, food security can only be achieved by expanding industrial capacity across the value chain and the new facility aligns with government’s agenda to combat hunger and ensure sustainable food production.
Shettima stated that, “this project is a demonstration of what can be achieved when the private and public sectors collaborate for growth. We cannot achieve peace unless the robust committees we roll out as a government are complemented by the ambition and commitment of the private sector.”
He lamented that despite being a continent blessed with vast arable land and the potential to be the food basket of the world, Africa’s share of global manufacturing was less than 2 per cent.
He said, “our duty as a government is to remove barriers and provide the necessary support for businesses. Agriculture remains a cardinal priority of President Bola Tinubu and this resolve has inspired the quality and scale of programmes designed to support farmers in increasing their productivity and yield, through research institutes, mechanisation schemes and cutting-edge technology. Our focus on food security is driven by the unshakeable belief that Nigerians have no reason to grow hungry.”
Shettima lauded the company for investing heavily in Nigeria since its inception in 2004, saying the action strongly demonstrates resilience, foresight and commitment to the growth of the agriculture sector.
Also speaking, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, represented by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stated that Kewalram Chanrai Group had made tremendous strides in Nigeria’s agriculture sector, providing total farm solutions, from seeds and fertilisers to tractors and post-harvest processing.
He said his government was committed to creating a conducive environment for industries to flourish within the state.
According to him, “this event affirms Ogun’s progress in creating a conducive environment for industries to flourish. By improving inputs, mechanisation and extension services, our government has positioned Ogun State to drive higher agricultural productivity, reduce the cost of staple foods and achieve food security.”
Earlier in his address, Chairman of Kewalram Chanrai Group, Narain Chanrai, highlighted the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.
He said as part of its corporate social responsibility, the project also includes a hospital to provide quality healthcare services to the local community and enhance the well-being of residents.
Chanrai stated that, “the success of Springfield in Nigeria has given us the impetus to expand to other African countries. This plant will drastically reduce the importation of agrochemicals, conserve foreign exchange and contribute to the backward integration programmes of both the federal and state governments.
“The agrochemical plant will produce herbicides and insecticides with an integrated bottle manufacturing unit. The factory is expected to generate between 300 and 500 direct and indirect jobs, with a significant portion of employment opportunities allocated to Ogun State indigenes.”